Tesla Robotaxis are not yet reliable but Elon Musk is not lacking in ambition

In short, administrative obstacles await Tesla Robotaxis then that the launch in Austin did not necessarily go very well. The automotive company, however, won a major victory when the Californian Public Services Commission (CPUC) granted a passenger transport permit.

Tesla wants her robotaxis riding in San Francisco

This is a compulsory first step to launch robotaxis in the state. However, this permit has not yet authorized Tesla to offer races to the general public.

For commercial Robotaxis in California, any company must obtain three permits from the motorized vehicle department: test with safety driver, fully autonomous test, and deployment of autonomous vehicles. For the moment, Tesla has only the first license.

If Tesla wishes to launch her robotaxis in Austin, without driver but with a safety supervisor For paid races only by invitation, additional DMV permits must be obtained. The automotive company must also apply for the program of autonomous vehicles for passengers of the CPUC, which has not yet been done.

A procedure which contrasts strongly with Texas, since only proof of insurance is requested. California has much more stringent requirements than Texas in terms of data to be provided: kilometers traveled, dispensing, and vehicle collisions.

In short, Californian regulators will undoubtedly ask many questions to Tesla, especially with regard to errors made by these Robotaxis in Austin and largely publicized. The authorities will want to know the role of remote operators or the functionality of “Ghost braking”.

In the event of a problem, it is possible for California to revoke Tesla’s permits, as has already happened with Cruise when the company did not report an incident where one of the vehicles had dragged a woman over several meters.

Very strict rules to follow for Tesla

Autonomous vehicles that drive in California must also subject annual data: kilometers traveled and frequencies of human interventions. Tesla has not submitted a report since 2019 and has only declared 12.2 km of autonomous driving during a demonstration near its former seat in Palo Alto.

Tesla justifies this lack of report by explaining that its tests focus on level 2 driving. However, it would seem that the automotive company is continuing its efforts. Business Insider explains that Tesla recorded more than 220 test drivers and 100 vehicles for an autonomous driving license this year, compared to 59 and 14 in 2022.