A Tesla robotaxi on a test run in San Francisco notably ran over a traffic cone during its test drive, raising the argument once more regarding the safety of autonomous driving technology and the use of human safety drivers. Video footage and witnesses of the event depict the car, which was in self-driving mode, not able to manoeuvre around the cone as the safety driver inside did not take any action to avert the accident.
Although the incident is not very major, it highlights the difficulties Tesla and other automakers should overcome as they advance towards fully autonomous ride-hailing services.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred on a busy road in San Francisco, which is also one of the main testing areas of self-driving cars in the US. The Tesla Robotaxi was in autonomous mode when it hit a cone that was put in a construction zone, according to bystanders. Instead of maneuvering around the obstacle, the vehicle ran over it, pushing it for a few seconds, and proceeded onward.
There was a human safety driver inside the car, as is needed during testing stages. However, no intervention was made to correct the vehicle’s course. The vehicle then proceeded unabated, leaving behind a crumpled cone.
Tesla Robotaxi runs over cone as safety driver doesn't intervene
byu/psilty inSelfDrivingCars
Why This Matters
Traffic cones might appear to be a minor object, but they are significant in guiding vehicles to move safely in and out of construction sites, dangers, or even during closures. The self-driving cars are likely to identify and evade these objects reliably to prevent road accidents among passengers and pedestrians.
Inability to identify or adequately respond to a traffic cone casts doubt on the strength of the autonomous driving code at Tesla. Although cones are light and may not pose much danger in the form of accidents by themselves, the same failure of detection may theoretically be extended to more harmful items, including debris or stalled cars.
According to industry specialists, even minor mistakes can accumulate in the development of autonomous driving technology, particularly since the systems are being marketed as safer than human drivers.
Tesla’s Robotaxi Ambitions
Elon Musk has stated on several occasions that the company envisions a group of autonomous robotaxis that have the potential to revolutionize urban transportation. Musk believes that Tesla cars with Full Self-Driving (FSD) will one day become fully autonomous taxis and make their owners a profitable business.
San Francisco, boasting of heavy traffic and road conditions, has become an important test ground for Tesla and other competitors such as Waymo and Cruise. Nevertheless, testing by Tesla has been questioned because it has not been as transparent as other competitors, most of which publicly release disengagement reports and comprehensive safety data.
Such accidents as the cone incident also invoke the issue of Tesla trying to persuade regulators and citizens that its technology is fit to be used on a large scale.
