Tesla CEO Elon Musk is betting big on self-driving robotaxis, even though there are major technology and legal obstacles, according to Reuters.
As Tesla’s electric vehicle sales slow, Musk’s vision for fully autonomous cars has become the company’s focus. However, creating and deploying these vehicles isn’t just about technology—it’s also about navigating complex state and federal laws.
Musk has been vocal about his frustration with state-by-state driverless car regulations. In an October earnings call, he described the process as “incredibly painful” and suggested that a single federal approval system would make things easier.
With Donald Trump’s election victory and Musk’s close ties to him, Musk may now have the political influence to push for such changes. Reuters reports that Trump has even hinted at giving Musk a role as an “efficiency czar” to streamline government processes.
Tesla’s current position in the self-driving space lags behind competitors like Waymo, which has logged millions of autonomous driving miles and operates robotaxi fleets in states like California. In contrast, Tesla has reported only 562 testing miles in California since 2016 and hasn’t applied for the permits needed to operate fully driverless cars, Reuters found. Experts told Reuters that even with friendlier federal rules, Tesla has “a long journey ahead” to catch up.
Musk’s robotaxi ambitions come with legal risks. Fully autonomous cars shift responsibility from the driver to the manufacturer. If Tesla claims its cars can drive without human oversight, it could face lawsuits for accidents, Reuters explained.
So far, Tesla has avoided full liability by insisting its “Full Self-Driving” system requires human supervision. But experts warn that Tesla could face massive legal and insurance challenges if Tesla begins deploying cars without drivers.
In less-regulated states like Texas, where driverless cars face fewer restrictions, Tesla might try launching its self-driving cars sooner.
But experts told Reuters that light regulations could actually increase Tesla’s legal risks since the company wouldn’t have strict government approvals to back its safety claims.
States like California, despite their tough rules, provide legal protections for companies that meet high safety standards, according to William Widen, a University of Miami law professor interviewed by Reuters.
In summary, while Trump’s presidency could open doors for Tesla to advance its robotaxi plans, challenges around technology, regulations, and legal liability remain significant, Reuters concluded.