Tesla's ambitious push into autonomous driving faces a significant legal challenge as the company prepares to launch its long-promised robotaxi service in Austin, Texas.
The Dawn Project, a tech safety advocacy group led by Green Hills Software CEO Dan O'Dowd, filed a lawsuit against Tesla and CEO Elon Musk, alleging serious safety defects in the company's self-driving technology. The timing is particularly notable, coming just days before Tesla's planned June 22 robotaxi service launch in Austin.
On June 12, The Dawn Project, alongside Tesla Takedown and Resist Austin, conducted a public demonstration in downtown Austin claiming to show that Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving software (version 13.2.9) fails to stop for pedestrians in certain scenarios. The demonstration specifically focused on situations involving school buses with flashing lights and extended stop signs.
"Austinites are not Elon's personal crash-test dummies," said Resist Austin organizer Nevin Kamath in a statement. "We are appalled that Musk chose our town as the launching pad for this dangerous technology."
Tesla's robotaxi launch represents a pivotal moment for the company, with Musk having staked much of Tesla's future on self-driving technology. The initial deployment will be limited to approximately 10-20 vehicles operating in restricted geographic areas of Austin that Tesla has identified as "the safest." Musk has emphasized that the company is being "super paranoid about safety" and that the launch date could shift if necessary.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also raised concerns, requesting detailed information about how Tesla's autonomous vehicles will perform in various conditions, including poor weather and reduced visibility. The agency has been investigating collisions involving Tesla's driver assistance systems since October 2024.
Texas presents a uniquely favorable environment for Tesla's autonomous vehicle testing due to its minimal regulatory requirements compared to states like California, where companies must secure permits and report extensive testing data before deploying driverless vehicles.
The outcome of this lawsuit could significantly impact not only Tesla's autonomous driving ambitions but also shape the regulatory landscape for self-driving technology across the United States.