ZimbabweTesla Robotaxis Struggle at Night
Elon Musk says the cars have trouble spotting pets on dark roads, as the EU votes on Tesla's driver assistance software. The company has extended its Robotaxi operating hours in Austin by an hour.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Tesla's robotaxis are still working on spotting animals that blend into the road at night, according to Elon Musk. He described the problem as 'grey kittens on grey tarmac in the dark'.
The company has extended its Robotaxi operating hours in Austin by an hour, with the service now available until 11pm. Musk confirmed the change, which is part of the company's goal to achieve 24/7 operations.
The main challenge for Tesla is identifying and avoiding pets and animals on the road at night. Musk said the company is being 'extremely careful with autonomous safety', just as it is with making Teslas the safest cars in the world for human driving.
The Cybercab fleet in Austin is growing quickly, with 111 new vehicles added over the past two weeks. The total number of Cybercabs registered to operate in Austin now stands at 169.
The European Union's Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles will vote on bloc-wide approval of Tesla's driver assistance software on 6 October. The software, known as FSD Supervised, is Level 2 and requires the driver to stay liable.
Tesla dropped radar in 2021 and ultrasonic sensors in 2022, and has never shipped lidar. The company's approach to autonomous driving relies on cameras, which need light and contrast to separate objects from the road.
Two fatal crashes involving Tesla's autonomous vehicles occurred in the dark, with the company redacting the crash narratives and software versions as confidential business information.
Key facts
- Tesla's robotaxis struggle to spot pets on dark roads
- The company has extended its Robotaxi operating hours in Austin by an hour
- The Cybercab fleet in Austin is growing quickly, with 169 vehicles registered
- The EU will vote on bloc-wide approval of Tesla's driver assistance software on 6 October
Three perspectives
Neutral
The development of autonomous vehicles is a complex process, and companies like Tesla are working to address the challenges of safe and reliable operation. The EU's vote on Tesla's driver assistance software will be closely watched. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further advancements and improvements.
Positive
Tesla's efforts to improve its autonomous driving technology are a step in the right direction, with the company's focus on safety and reliability. The growth of the Cybercab fleet in Austin is a positive sign for the company's ambitions in the autonomous vehicle market.
Negative
The fact that Tesla's robotaxis struggle to spot pets on dark roads is a concern, and the company's approach to autonomous driving has been criticized by some. The two fatal crashes involving Tesla's autonomous vehicles in the dark highlight the need for further improvement and testing.
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