The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Tesla after videos emerged on social media showing its robotaxi driving erratically near Austin, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

On Sunday, Tesla began a robotaxi trial in Texas, marking the first time the company’s driverless vehicles have transported paying passengers without human oversight. The carmaker deployed a small fleet of autonomous taxis in Austin, offering rides at a fixed rate of $4.20 through a dedicated robotaxi app, according to a post by Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk on X.

Musk described the launch as the "culmination of a decade of hard work," crediting Tesla’s in-house development of AI chips and software. However, despite his praise, online videos appeared to show the robotaxis struggling in real-world scenarios, raising safety concerns. One clip circulating on social media showed a robotaxi stopping abruptly near a parked police car.

The NHTSA confirmed in a statement that it was "aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information." The agency emphasised that it "does not pre-approve new technologies or vehicle systems," noting that manufacturers must certify compliance with safety standards while the NHTSA investigates potential defects.

Analysts have cautioned that Tesla still faces significant challenges in scaling the service. Philip Koopman, a Carnegie Mellon University professor and autonomous vehicle expert, told Reuters it could take "years or decades" for Tesla and rivals like Alphabet’s Waymo to fully establish a robotaxi industry. "A successful experiment in Austin for Tesla would be the end of the beginning, not the beginning of the end," he added.

As Tesla’s robotaxi initiative advances, Texas has introduced new regulations for autonomous vehicles. Governor Greg Abbott signed a law on Friday requiring companies to obtain a state permit before operating driverless vehicles on public roads. The rules stipulate that autonomous vehicles must be registered, insured, and compliant with federal safety standards, while also providing emergency response protocols for authorities. The law takes effect on 1 September.

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