UgandaTesla Robotaxis Struggle at Night
Elon Musk says Tesla's robotaxis still cannot reliably see pets on the road at night, as the company extends its Robotaxi operating hours in Austin. The European Union votes on bloc-wide approval of Tesla's driver assistance software on October 6.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Tesla has extended its Robotaxi operating hours in Austin by an hour, with the service now available until 11pm. Elon Musk confirmed the change, saying the company is still working on spotting animals that blend into the road at night.
Musk described the problem as 'grey kittens on grey tarmac in the dark', highlighting the challenges of using cameras to detect hazards at night. Cameras need light and contrast to separate an object from the road, which can be difficult in low-light conditions.
The European Union's Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles will vote on bloc-wide approval of Tesla's driver assistance software, known as FSD Supervised, on October 6. The software is Level 2, meaning the driver stays liable, and is not the system driving itself.
Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin has grown significantly, with 111 new Cybercabs added over the past two weeks. The total number of Cybercabs registered to operate in Austin now stands at 169, nearly four times the number registered at launch.
Musk said the company is being 'extremely careful with autonomous safety', and is targeting 24/7 Robotaxi operations as early as this month. The company is also considering expanding its Robotaxi service to other cities, with Houston and Dallas being potential candidates.
The extension of Robotaxi operating hours in Austin is a significant development, but the company still faces challenges in detecting hazards at night. Musk's comments highlight the difficulties of using cameras to detect animals and other objects in low-light conditions.
The European Union's vote on Tesla's driver assistance software will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the company's autonomous driving ambitions. The vote requires 55% of member states representing 65% of the population to approve the software.
Key facts
- Tesla's Robotaxi operating hours in Austin have been extended to 11pm
- The company is still working on spotting animals that blend into the road at night
- The European Union will vote on bloc-wide approval of Tesla's driver assistance software on October 6
- Tesla's Robotaxi fleet in Austin has grown to 169 Cybercabs
Three perspectives
Neutral
The extension of Robotaxi operating hours in Austin is a significant development, but the company still faces challenges in detecting hazards at night. The European Union's vote on Tesla's driver assistance software will be closely watched, and the outcome could have significant implications for the company's autonomous driving ambitions. The company's ability to expand its Robotaxi service to other cities will depend on its ability to address these challenges.
Positive
Tesla's extension of Robotaxi operating hours in Austin is a positive step towards achieving its goal of 24/7 autonomous driving. The company's commitment to autonomous safety is reassuring, and its growing Robotaxi fleet in Austin is a significant milestone. The potential expansion of the service to other cities could have a major impact on the transportation industry.
Negative
The challenges faced by Tesla's Robotaxi service in detecting hazards at night are a significant concern. The company's reliance on cameras to detect objects in low-light conditions is a limitation, and the European Union's vote on its driver assistance software may not go in its favor. The company's ability to address these challenges will be crucial to the success of its autonomous driving ambitions.
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