Tesla's robotaxis face new regulator scrutiny over school zone-speeding claim

Tesla's Model Y and Cybercab robotaxis are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after a defect petition was filed alleging that the vehicles exceeded speed limits in school zones while their automated driving systems were active. The petitioner submitted three videos as evidence supporting the claim, and the probe was opened on Friday.

According to the filing, the investigation will evaluate the complaint before deciding whether to grant or deny a formal investigation. No reported crashes or injuries have been mentioned, and about 1,000 vehicles could be affected. Tesla has been expanding its self-driving services with the Model Y robotaxis into other Texas cities and Florida, with the addition of its steering-wheel-free Cybercab in September.

CEO Elon Musk has increasingly shifted Tesla's focus towards self-driving, AI, and robotics. The scrutiny comes as the electric automaker pushes to make robotaxis a bigger business. The NHTSA had previously opened an audit inquiry into the Cybercab's self-certification shortly after the cars began offering services in Austin. School zones have also been problematic for rival robotaxi companies, with NHTSA opening a preliminary investigation into Waymo after reports of its vehicles passing stopped school buses in Austin and Atlanta.

Waymo subsequently issued a voluntary recall and struck a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California, with minor injuries.