Tesla Robotaxi Expands Hours, Musk Explains Why It’s Been a Challenge
Musk said Tesla is limiting night service because cameras struggle with low-light objects, while Waymo runs 24 hours a day with lidar and radar.
- On Saturday, Tesla Inc. expanded its Austin Robotaxi operating hours from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., though the service remains restricted by ongoing nighttime visibility challenges.
- CEO Elon Musk explained that the primary hurdle involves detecting low-contrast animals, specifically noting the difficulty of spotting "grey kittens on grey tarmac" in the dark.
- While Tesla relies on camera vision, rival Waymo incorporates lidar and radar to navigate low-light environments, systems Musk has previously dismissed as a "crutch."
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating 3.2 million Teslas regarding FSD crashes in low-visibility conditions, while the European Union votes on FSD Supervised approval on Tuesday.
- Musk suggests AI-assisted "photon count analysis" will improve camera performance, maintaining his long-standing strategy of avoiding lidar despite ongoing sensor-related safety questions.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Tesla has extended to 23:00 the schedule of its robotaxis in Austin while still fine-tuning its night driving. Elon Musk assures that one of the challenges is to detect small animals when they barely stand out on asphalt
In announcing the extension of Robotaxi service hours in Austin, Elon Musk revealed that the automaker's efforts to protect animals that are difficult to see on the roads at night are hindering nighttime operations. He specifically mentioned small gray kittens on the asphalt.
Tesla extended the schedule of its robots in Austin, but continues to face a challenge: to detect small animals in the darkness. Elon Musk recognized the difficulty and gave a concrete example, grey kittens on gray asphalt. Tesla's Robotaxi service began accepting trips until 23 hours in Austin, in the American state of [...]
Tesla Robotaxi expands hours, Musk explains why it’s been a challenge
Tesla is expanding its Robotaxi service hours by pushing the time back by one hour, keeping the ride-hailing service operational until 11 p.m., one hour later than previously. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the change and offered a specific reason the expansion has been gradual: the system still needs to reliably avoid small pets that are […]
Tesla Robotaxis Stop Short at 11 P.M. Because They Still Can't Spot Grey Kittens on Dark Roads
Elon Musk revealed that Tesla robotaxis in Austin end service at 11 p.m. because they still struggle to detect low-contrast pets like grey kittens on dark roads. The admission coincides with fleet growth to 169 Cybercabs and a delayed EU vote on the same camera technology. Progress continues cautiously.
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