From Torque News.
Yesterday, seven lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate signed a letter requesting Tesla to delay its robotaxi launch until new autonomous driving regulations are scheduled to go into effect on September 1.
Get ready for a deep dive into the heated debate surrounding Tesla’s highly anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas! Seven influential Texas lawmakers from both the House and Senate have issued a stern letter requesting a delay to the June 22nd rollout. Their primary concern? Public safety and the immediate implementation of new autonomous driving regulations slated to go into effect on September 1st. These incoming rules demand strict compliance, including vehicle registration, stringent safety and vehicle standards, and the ability for the automated driving system to achieve a "minimal risk condition" if it becomes inoperable. This puts Tesla’s aggressive timeline directly against the state’s push for more robust oversight in the autonomous vehicle space.
The lawmakers’ apprehension stems from significant safety concerns surrounding Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. Representative Vikki Goodwin explicitly stated, "I don’t know that it is ready to be launched. There is more work that needs to be done before they let them loose on the streets." This sentiment is fueled by recent independent testing, notably by The Dawn Project, a group critical of Tesla’s self-driving tech. Their safety tests reportedly showed a Tesla Model Y with FSD failing to stop for a school bus stop sign and hitting a child-sized dummy, raising serious questions about the real-world readiness and reliability of the system. While Elon Musk himself acknowledged potential delays due to prioritizing "super paranoid about safety," the imminent launch remains a crucial event for investor confidence in Tesla’s competitive standing against rivals like Waymo and Zoox.
Texas has historically been a more lenient environment for self-driving technology, making it an attractive hub for companies. However, these new regulations signal a shift towards greater accountability. The lawmakers’ letter offers a pathway for Tesla to proceed with its June 22nd launch if the company can provide detailed information demonstrating compliance with the new law. As the Tesla robotaxi eyes Austin’s streets alongside established players like Google’s Waymo (already offering autonomous ride-hailing with Uber), the outcome of this regulatory standoff will undoubtedly set a precedent for the future of driverless vehicles and their integration into urban environments across the nation.
In this report learn:
Texas lawmakers request Tesla robotaxi launch delay until September.
Austin new autonomous vehicle regulations impact on Tesla.
Vikki Goodwin’s concerns about Tesla Full Self-Driving safety.
The Dawn Project’s Tesla FSD test results and school bus incident.
Elon Musk’s comments on Austin robotaxi launch date and safety.
Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin and Uber partnership.
Texas’s upcoming new laws for driverless car operations and permits.
#tesla, #robotaxis
This is Armen Hareyan from Torque News. Please follow us at https://twitter.com/torquenewsauto on Twitter and https://www.torquenews.com/ for daily automotive news. Also, follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/teslaev
Reference: Business Insider
https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-robotaxi-delay-austin-lawmakers-waymo-elon-musk-2025-6
