Overview

• Tesla launched a limited robotaxi pilot in Austin with fewer than two dozen Model Y vehicles operating in a geofenced area and a human safety monitor onboard.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into videos showing Tesla robotaxis driving on the wrong side of the road, sudden braking and other traffic violations.
• Tesla’s reliance on cameras and artificial intelligence contrasts with Waymo’s multi-sensor approach that combines lidar, radar and high-definition maps.
• Waymo rolled out fully autonomous robotaxis in Atlanta this week, deploying sensor-packed Jaguar I-PACE vehicles through the Uber app across a 65-square-mile zone.
• Tesla’s shares jumped 8% after the Austin launch before retreating on safety concerns, and analysts warn rapid scaling of full autonomy remains a formidable challenge.