Tesla’s ambitious plans to deploy a fleet of autonomous robotaxis have come under heightened federal scrutiny. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has formally requested detailed information from Tesla regarding its upcoming robotaxi service, particularly focusing on the safety and operational aspects of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in low-visibility conditions.
NHTSA’s Inquiry into Tesla’s Robotaxi Plans
In a letter dated May 12, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation outlined a series of questions aimed at understanding Tesla’s approach to evaluating and ensuring the safety of its vehicles and driving automation technologies on public roads. This inquiry is part of an ongoing investigation into the performance of Tesla’s FSD system, especially under challenging environmental conditions such as fog, rain, and dust.
The agency’s interest was piqued by a Tesla post on April 23, 2025, which stated: FSD Supervised ride-hailing service is live for an early set of employees in Austin & San Francisco Bay Area. We’ve completed over 1.5k trips & 15k miles of driving. This service helps us develop & validate FSD networks, the mobile app, vehicle allocation, mission control & remote assistance operations.
Safety Concerns and Previous Incidents
NHTSA’s investigation into Tesla’s FSD system was initiated in October 2024 following reports of four crashes occurring under low-visibility conditions, including a fatal pedestrian accident. These incidents raised questions about the system’s ability to detect and respond appropriately in such scenarios. The agency is particularly interested in understanding how Tesla plans to ensure the safety of its robotaxi operations in conditions like sun glare, fog, airborne dust, rain, or snow.
Tesla’s Autonomous Driving Technology
Tesla’s FSD software is an advanced driver-assistance system designed to handle certain driving tasks such as steering and braking. However, it requires drivers to remain attentive and keep their hands on the wheel. CEO Elon Musk has indicated that the forthcoming robotaxis will utilize an unsupervised version of the FSD software, which has yet to be released.
Regulatory and Legal Challenges
This latest inquiry adds to the growing list of regulatory and legal challenges Tesla faces concerning its autonomous driving technologies. In May 2024, the Department of Justice began investigating whether Tesla misled consumers, investors, and regulators about its self-driving capabilities, focusing on potential securities and wire fraud. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is examining Tesla’s representations about driver-assistance systems to investors.
Industry Context and Public Perception
Tesla’s robotaxi initiative is part of a broader industry trend toward autonomous ride-hailing services. Competitors like Waymo and GM’s Cruise have already deployed driverless vehicles in select cities. However, Tesla’s approach, particularly its reliance on camera-based systems without lidar, has been met with skepticism. The company’s history of overpromising and underdelivering on self-driving capabilities has also contributed to public and regulatory scrutiny.
Conclusion
As Tesla prepares to launch its robotaxi service, the company must navigate a complex landscape of regulatory oversight and public skepticism. The outcome of NHTSA’s investigation and Tesla’s responses to the agency’s inquiries will likely have significant implications for the future of autonomous ride-hailing services and the broader adoption of self-driving technologies.
