Investor Gary Black, managing director of Future Fund LLC, has expressed his disappointment with the lack of helpful input for Tesla’s Robotaxi launch in Austin. Black took to social media to voice his concerns, stating that there was a “stunning” lack of constructive criticism for the event.
Background on the Launch
The Robotaxi launch, which took place on Sunday, has been under scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over possible traffic violations committed by the Robotaxis. Footage emerged of a Robotaxi speeding and driving in the wrong lane, prompting the regulator to review the incidents.
Black’s Criticism
Black criticized the limited rollout of the Robotaxi in Austin, saying that it was not significantly ahead of other autonomous options, such as Waymo or Zoox. He believes that Tesla can resolve the issues, but the claim that the company’s Robotaxi is years ahead of its competitors is “nonsense.”
NHTSA Investigation and Confidentiality
The NHTSA is also investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in poor weather conditions. However, Tesla has invoked a federal law to keep its responses to the inquiry private, citing confidentiality concerns. The company claims that it wants to prevent sensitive information about its FSD technology from being made public and used by competitors.
Other Challenges Facing Tesla
In addition to the NHTSA investigation, Tesla is also facing a wrongful death lawsuit over a 2024 crash involving a Model S. The plaintiffs claim that the car’s design is “defective and unreasonably dangerous.”
Conclusion
The criticism from Gary Black and the scrutiny from the NHTSA highlight the challenges facing Tesla’s autonomous driving technology. While the company has made significant progress in the field, it still has to address concerns over safety and transparency. As the autonomous vehicle market continues to evolve, Tesla will need to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of its technology to gain the trust of consumers and regulators.