Tesla's robotaxi launch in Austin sparks regulator scrutiny after videos go viral

Tesla's robotaxi launch in Austin sparks regulator scrutiny after videos go viral

Tesla’s robotaxi rollout in Austin on June 22, 2025, is under investigation after videos captured concerning driving behavior. Here's what's at stake:

Elon Musk’s fleet of about 10 geofenced, Model Y‑based robotaxis, each with a human safety monitor onboard, immediately caught regulatory attention when several early-access riders posted shaky footage.

One video shows a vehicle “entering a left‑turn‑only lane, but then goes straight through the intersection and enters an opposing lane for ten seconds”.

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Another Tesla exceeded speed limits, with instances like “35 mph in a 30 mph zone”.

NHTSA has confirmed it “is aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information”.

Meanwhile, Tesla has requested that its responses remain confidential, pointing to sensitive business data.

Supporters argue the test is proceeding safely. One rider, Rob Maurer, said:

“There are no vehicles anywhere in sight, so this wasn't a safety issue. I didn't feel uncomfortable in the situation”.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called the launch “a major success,” but industry expert Sam Abuelsamid countered:

“This is not a system that should be carrying members of the public or being tested on public roads without trained test drivers behind the wheel”.

This scrutiny arrives with timing pressure: Texas lawmakers asked Tesla to delay until September 1, when stricter autonomous vehicle rules take effect.

Despite pressure, Tesla proceeded, offering rides by influencers at a flat rate of $4.20.

The situation puts Tesla under a microscope in multiple dimensions: regulatory, technical, and ethical.

  • First, NHTSA’s probe could trigger recalls or mandated improvements.
  • Second, public confidence may waver as footage highlights rash behavior. Third, rivals like Waymo, operating thousands of rides with lidar-based systems, benefit by comparison.

Tesla projects big growth: aiming to launch in a dozen cities by year’s end and planning mass deployment of its purpose-built Cybercab around 2026–27.

Yet these early missteps underscore the risk.

However, Tesla’s bold move into live, camera-only autonomous rides has begun, but real-world behavior hasn't matched promises yet.

Regulators are watching, safety advocates are sounding alarms, and Tesla’s future in autonomy hinges on swift progress, while the company saw a stock dip of about 2% after people started sharing videos of Tesla robotaxis' irresponsible behaviour.