Tesla Robotaxi Sideswipes Parked Car in Austin

A Tesla robotaxi made headlines recently after an incident in Austin, Texas, where it lightly collided with a parked vehicle. The event, captured on video by YouTuber DirtyTesla, shows a self-driving Model Y completing a passenger drop-off before encountering difficulties navigating a dimly lit alleyway. The vehicle then made contact with the tire of a parked Toyota.

The incident occurred approximately two weeks after Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin with a limited number of vehicles. According to DirtyTesla, no significant damage or injuries resulted from the minor sideswipe. The robotaxi’s safety monitor reportedly took control and drove the vehicle away following the collision. The cause of the unexpected maneuver remains unclear.

Beyond this particular incident, early users of Tesla’s robotaxi service have reported other unusual experiences. These include instances of the robotaxi making abrupt stops in response to non-existent emergency lights and briefly driving on the wrong side of the road. It’s crucial to understand that Tesla’s autonomous driving system primarily relies on cameras and artificial intelligence, a contrast to competitors like Waymo, which integrates cameras, lidar, and radar technologies.

Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have also faced challenges. Last year, the company issued a voluntary recall in Phoenix, Arizona, after one of its robotaxis collided with a telephone pole. More recently, Waymo initiated another recall due to its robotaxis’ tendency to strike less visible roadway barriers.