Tesla’s Robotaxis: A Bumpy Start Compared to Waymo’s Highway Approval

Autonomous Tesla taxis, it seems, currently stand noticeably less skilled drivers compared to Waymo’s vehicles. Recently, Tesla’s robotaxis were involved in several more accidents, although even before they statistically lagged behind the competitor. Photo Electrek

Recently, Tesla reported three more accidents involving their robotaxis in Austin, Texas. As a result, the total number of incidents reached seven, despite the limited mileage and the fact that drivers observed the situation from the passenger seat. Tesla first reported three accidents in September. Another happened in October, and now three more within a short period. For the first time, U.S. robotaxis hit the highways. Waymo received permission to move along such roads.

All the details are not yet clear, though it is known that only one accident involved injuries, but it did not require hospitalization. It is also known that in one of the new accidents the robotaxi collided with a car moving in reverse, in another, there was a collision with a cyclist, and in the last one – with an animal. It is unknown whether Tesla vehicles were at fault in any of these accidents.