Tesla’s long-anticipated robotaxi service launched on 22 June 2025 in Austin, Texas, but its debut was fraught with problems. Initially bolstered by pro-Tesla influencer videos and a 10% spike in stock value, the rollout soon drew criticism as videos surfaced showing robotaxis committing traffic violations. These clips sparked regulatory scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which launched an investigation just days after the launch.
Elon Musk framed the launch as the culmination of over a decade’s work and a turning point for Tesla’s business model amid falling sales. However, the botched rollout highlighted ongoing technical limitations. Tesla’s robotaxi service, confined to a small Austin area and equipped with safety drivers, was restricted by weather and time-of-day limitations—far from the seamless autonomy Musk had promised.
Camera-Only Strategy Sparks Safety Concerns, As Videos And Crashes Undermine Tesla’s Autonomous Claims
Despite Tesla’s public assurances, video evidence told a different story. Instances of the robotaxis veering into oncoming traffic, braking erratically, and dropping passengers mid-intersection emerged. These videos, shared by the same influencers Tesla had invited, contradicted the company’s claims and attracted NHTSA attention, raising concerns about the technology’s real-world readiness.
Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch Marred by Safety Lapses and Traffic Violations as Regulatory Scrutiny MountsTesla’s autonomous strategy rests solely on cameras, a stance Musk has defended vigorously—famously calling lidar “lame” and unnecessary. Tesla uses eight external cameras for its self-driving system, whereas competitors like Waymo and Zoox incorporate a combination of cameras, radar, and lidar for more robust environmental sensing. Musk’s cost-cutting rationale—$400 for cameras versus $12,000 for lidar—ignores safety benefits provided by multi-sensor setups.
Tesla’s refusal to use lidar has contributed to serious safety concerns. Its Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode has been linked to at least 736 crashes and 17 deaths, according to the Washington Post. These incidents have triggered lawsuits and regulatory probes. Critics, including lawyers for victims, argue that Tesla’s camera-only approach is inherently flawed and continues to endanger lives.
Tesla’s Rush Contrasts With Waymo’s Cautious Approach, Exposing Risks Of Under-Tested Autonomy
Tesla’s aggressive push into the robotaxi market contrasts sharply with Waymo’s methodical strategy. Waymo spends years mapping and testing cities before launching, as seen in its San Francisco rollout, which began in 2021 and only became public in 2024. Despite issues of its own, including a software recall and regulatory scrutiny, Waymo’s thorough testing gives it a reputation for reliability and caution.
Tesla’s launch strategy echoes Uber’s problematic 2016 San Francisco pilot, which was halted after safety incidents and regulatory noncompliance. Like Uber, Tesla lacked proper permitting—though Texas doesn’t yet require one—and rushed its product to market, likely to meet Musk’s self-imposed deadlines. The behind-the-scenes decision-making remains opaque, but the pattern of over-promising and under-testing persists.
Despite repeated assurances since 2016, Musk’s vision of widespread robotaxis remains unfulfilled. The Austin launch—limited in scale and plagued by safety concerns—suggests Tesla still has significant ground to cover. While Musk may be inching closer to realizing his dream, the launch underscores the costs of prioritizing hype over readiness in a field where lives are on the line.
