Tesla Robotaxis Crashed at Least 2 Times Since July 2025 While Under Remote Control
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · May 17
Tesla Robotaxis Crashed at Least 2 Times Since July 2025 While Under Remote Control
5 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · May 17
Newly unredacted filings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show Tesla robotaxis crashed at least twice since July 2025 while a teleoperator was remotely driving them.
The disclosure indicates the vehicles were not operating solely on their own at the time, adding a key detail about how Tesla’s robotaxi system was being managed during the incidents.
The crashes surfaced in a TechCrunch report that highlighted broader autonomous-vehicle scrutiny, including Waymo’s recall-driven software update for nearly 4,000 vehicles to better avoid flooded roads.
If human operators are crashing Tesla's robotaxis, does this reveal a fundamental flaw in the path to full autonomy?
As automakers swap thousands of workers for AI experts, is this a temporary disruption or a permanent workforce transformation?
With billions pouring into AI mobility startups, are investors chasing sustainable innovation or the next speculative tech bubble?
Tesla Robotaxi Safety Under the Microscope: 17 Austin Crashes Reveal Teleoperation Challenges and Regulatory Hurdles
Overview
Tesla began testing its robotaxi service in Austin in July 2025 with a small fleet of Model Y SUVs. Between July 2025 and March 2026, there were 17 incidents involving these autonomous vehicles, most of which were minor and resulted mainly in property damage, with only a few causing minor injuries. These incidents highlight the challenges of using remote human operators to control robotaxis, especially when technical limitations like reduced situational awareness and network delays can affect safety. The data from these early crashes is helping Tesla and regulators understand the risks and improve the safety of autonomous ride-hailing services.