« Much more dangerous than you » : the figures on Tesla robotaxis that Elon Musk wants to hide from you
Tesla's burgeoning robotaxi service, launched in Austin eight months ago, is facing scrutiny over its accident rate, raising concerns about the safety and transparency of autonomous vehicle technology. While Tesla aims to lead in this disruptive sector, the data suggests a significantly higher accident frequency compared to human drivers, a fact that has not been proactively disclosed by the company's leadership. Recent reports indicate that Tesla's autonomous fleet has been involved in 14 collisions over approximately 1.3 million kilometers driven. This translates to an accident rate that is notably four times higher than that of an average human driver in comparable conditions. Such figures highlight a critical area for improvement and rigorous testing before widespread deployment of autonomous ride-hailing services. The implications of these statistics extend beyond road safety, touching upon regulatory oversight and public trust in advanced AI-driven transportation. As European policymakers continue to develop frameworks like the AI Act and DSA, understanding the real-world performance of emerging technologies is paramount for ensuring consumer protection and fostering responsible innovation. This situation underscores the need for transparent data sharing from all autonomous vehicle operators to inform policy and guide future development.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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