Tesla's Robotaxi Test in Texas Faces Backlash Over Safety Issues

Austin, Texas – Tesla’s much-anticipated robotaxi pilot has hit a bump in the road — quite literally. During its first public test run in Austin, the autonomous vehicle service showed multiple errors, sparking concerns among experts, officials, and everyday citizens. Though Elon Musk remains optimistic about the future of Tesla’s self-driving ambitions, these early issues are proving to be a reality check.

 

A Bold Step with Big Promises
 

Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has often stated that autonomous driving is the future of transportation. Tying the company’s long-term financial goals to its self-driving technology, Musk predicted “millions of fully autonomous Teslas” on the road by the second half of next year.

To support this vision, Tesla launched its first public robotaxi test in Austin, Texas. Riders were hand-picked and charged a flat $4.20 per ride. These were not special vehicles — the robotaxis were standard Model Ys equipped with Tesla’s latest autonomous software. A human safety monitor was seated in the passenger seat during each ride.

Caught on Camera: Errors on Day One
 

Despite the buzz, several videos posted by users and verified by Reuters painted a troubling picture. Mistakes included:

• Entering the wrong lane.
• Abrupt stops without any visible obstacles.
• Dropping off passengers in dangerous locations like intersections and multi-lane roads.
• Driving over curbs.
• Failing to properly handle oncoming traffic lanes.
   

In one video, a robotaxi veered into a lane meant for oncoming traffic for nearly six seconds. In another, the car suddenly braked, jerking the passenger forward and spilling their belongings.

One of the most alarming videos showed a Tesla robotaxi stopping twice in the middle of the road near police vehicles with flashing lights — a situation that demands clear and cautious behavior.

Experts and Officials React

Philip Koopman, an autonomous technology expert from Carnegie Mellon University, expressed his surprise at the number of visible mistakes from day one. “This is awfully early to have this many videos of erratic and poor driving,” he remarked.

The City of Austin confirmed awareness of the situation. Officials stated that they are sharing any legal or safety concerns with Tesla promptly. The local police department is also reportedly working directly with Tesla to ensure safe interactions between officers and robotaxis.

Despite these efforts, the videos raised fresh concerns about the readiness of autonomous systems for public use.

 

Mixed Reactions from Riders

 

Interestingly, many of the trial participants — mostly Tesla fans — shared glowing reviews. Some reported hours of seamless, smooth rides and applauded the innovation.

Farzad Mesbahi, a former Tesla employee, used the service and posted a video showing the car stopping in the middle of an intersection after he selected “drop off early.” His reaction was mild: “The car should have known to not stop there.” His co-passenger added, “Opportunities for improvement.”

These lighthearted remarks reflect a forgiving tone among Tesla enthusiasts, but experts warned that such mistakes would be unacceptable for most companies, especially during public trials.

The Bigger Picture: Comparing Competitors

 

Tesla is not alone in facing teething problems in the world of autonomous vehicles. Waymo (by Alphabet) and Cruise (owned by General Motors) have also seen similar setbacks in Austin.

Cruise had to suspend its operations in 2023 after a serious pedestrian accident. Waymo, on the other hand, remains the only robotaxi company in the U.S. offering fully driverless rides to the public without in-car safety monitors. It recently partnered with Uber to expand its service in Austin.

City officials in Austin logged numerous incidents over the last two years where autonomous vehicles blocked traffic, failed to respond to emergency vehicles, or couldn’t handle police directions and temporary road closures.

 

Balancing Innovation with Safety

 

Supporters of Tesla’s effort argue that minor issues are to be expected in any new tech rollout. Alain Kornhauser, a professor at Princeton University, noted that in some cases, Tesla’s decisions prioritized safety over convenience.

However, others, like Kara Kockelman from the University of Texas, were less forgiving. “Dropping passengers in the middle of a six-lane road or busy intersection is pretty dangerous,” she said. “They definitely did not want this on camera.”

 

Transparency: A Double-Edged Sword?

 

What makes Tesla’s trial different is its openness. Most companies run closed or limited pilots. Tesla chose to conduct its testing publicly, in real-time, with visible media and social feedback. This transparency is both a strength and a weakness — it builds trust through openness but also exposes every flaw to public scrutiny.

With approximately 10–20 robotaxis currently being tested, Tesla is likely collecting large amounts of real-world data. But the question remains: will it be enough to fine-tune the system before expanding?

 

What’s Next for Tesla’s Robotaxis?

 

Elon Musk remains undeterred. He insists that self-driving Teslas will soon become mainstream and is planning to expand the service to more U.S. cities by the end of the year. But after this rocky start in Austin, regulators and road safety experts may demand more rigorous testing and oversight.

The early feedback shows promise but also highlights clear gaps in safety and decision-making — issues that cannot be ignored when human lives are at stake.

As Tesla pushes toward an autonomous future, the company must ensure that innovation doesn’t outpace responsibility.