Tesla robotaxis face scrutiny after erratic driving caught on camera during Austin pilot

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating Tesla following a series of incidents involving the company’s robotaxis during a pilot program in Austin, Texas. The NHTSA, which falls under the Department of Transportation and oversees vehicle safety, reached out to Tesla after videos surfaced showing instances of the self-driving taxis driving recklessly.

In one video that circulated on social media, a Tesla robotaxi is seen veering into the wrong lane and swerving multiple times. Despite the concerning nature of the footage, the passenger in the vehicle, Rob Maurer, downplayed the incident, stating that there were no other vehicles around and that he did not feel unsafe.

Another video captured a Tesla robotaxi abruptly stopping in the middle of the road, potentially in response to police car lights. These incidents, which were part of a test of Tesla’s Model Y robotaxis in Austin, have raised questions about the safety of self-driving cars. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed confidence in the technology, aiming to have millions of self-driving cars on the road by the second half of 2026.

While some, like Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, view these issues as part of the learning curve associated with new technology deployment, others are more skeptical. The NHTSA’s investigation into Tesla’s robotaxis follows a previous probe into the company’s Full Self-Driving technology, which resulted in a recall of 2.4 million vehicles.

In a separate development, Tesla is facing a lawsuit from the estates of three individuals who died in a crash involving one of the company’s Model S cars last September. Despite these challenges, Elon Musk maintains that Tesla’s autonomous vehicles are safer than human-driven cars, emphasizing the company’s commitment to public safety.

As the investigation unfolds, the future of Tesla’s robotaxis remains uncertain. The company has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

This article was contributed by AFP and The Associated Press, with additional reporting by Mary Cunningham, a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. Prior to her current role, Mary worked at “60 Minutes,” CBSNews.com, and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program.