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TechCrunch Mobility: RIP, Tesla Autopilot, and the NTSB investigates Waymo
The NTSB is investigating Waymo for its robotaxis illegally passing stopped school buses. Meanwhile, Tesla has discontinued its Autopilot feature while enhancing its Full Self-Driving technology. Tesla's recent strategies aim to increase revenue from FSD as it faces scrutiny over previous marketing claims about Autopilot's capabilities.
Key points
- NTSB investigates Waymo's robotaxis for multiple violations in two states.
- Tesla offers driverless rides in Austin, indicating progress in autonomous tech.
- Tesla discontinues the Autopilot feature, which has faced criticism for misleading capabilities.
- Tesla shifts customers to a subscription model for Full Self-Driving after a legal ruling against deceptive marketing.
Why it matters
- The investigation of Waymo reflects ongoing scrutiny of autonomous vehicle safety, paralleling regulatory efforts seen in 2021 and 2022.
- Tesla's transition from Autopilot may reflect broader trends in the automotive industry towards accountability in AI-driven systems by 2025.
- The increase in investments in autonomous delivery services like Zipline indicates the growing relevance of robotics in logistics and transportation.
Tesla's elimination of Autopilot and the NTSB investigation into Waymo highlight significant shifts in the autonomous vehicle landscape, underlining the importance of safety and transparency in emerging transport technologies.