Tesla’s Robotaxis Now Operating in Austin Without Safety Monitors Inside
Elon Musk made waves earlier this week when he announced that Tesla is now running robotaxis in Austin, Texas, without any safety monitors inside the vehicles. While it may have seemed like a bold move, it turns out that there are indeed safety monitors present, just not inside the taxis themselves. Instead, these monitors are accompanying the robotaxis from a separate chase car or cars, as seen in a video shared by a robotaxi user.
Although the launch of these supposedly unmonitored vehicles garnered significant attention, the fact that safety spotters were still in place was not widely reported until Electrek brought it to light. This oversight highlights the importance of thorough reporting in the fast-paced world of autonomous vehicles.
Recent updates to Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” suite have finally delivered on some of Musk’s long-standing promises. A recent journey from Los Angeles to New York, completed with zero interventions, showcased the improved reliability of the FSD system. Despite some challenges along the way, including weather and human error, the car managed to complete the cross-country journey without any human intervention.
One of the key features that enabled this successful journey is the introduction of TOI Recovery in the latest FSD build. This feature allows the software to continuously attempt to recover from errors that would have previously required immediate human intervention. With fewer disengagements, Tesla’s confidence in its autonomous capabilities has grown significantly.
While TOI Recovery represents a major step forward, there are still limitations to what FSD can achieve without human intervention. As long as these limitations exist, it is likely that safety monitors will continue to accompany the robotaxis. Despite the added cost, Tesla’s financial strength makes it well-equipped to handle the expenses associated with maintaining a safe and reliable autonomous driving system.
Overall, Tesla’s foray into operating robotaxis in Austin without safety monitors inside the vehicles marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous driving technology. With ongoing improvements to the FSD system and a commitment to safety, Tesla is poised to lead the way in the future of transportation.