Tesla's Robotaxi program has faced scrutiny after two low-speed crashes were disclosed to the NHTSA. The incidents occurred in Austin, with teleoperators steering the vehicle, and there were no passengers in the car at the time. The first crash took place in July 2025, and the second in January 2026. Tesla has previously stated that teleoperators are authorized to pilot vehicles remotely at speeds below 10 mph, but these incidents raise questions about the safety of the Robotaxi system. The company's cautious approach to the Robotaxi rollout is evident, with a focus on ensuring the suite is ready for operation. This comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of autonomous vehicles, with the NHTSA investigating Tesla's Full Self-Driving software. The unredacted filings reveal a total of 17 Robotaxi incidents recorded since the launch in Austin, with most crashes not caused by the self-driving suite itself. Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin has been successful, but these incidents highlight the challenges and risks associated with autonomous vehicles. The company's transparency is appreciated, but it also underscores the need for ongoing safety improvements and regulatory oversight. In other news, Tesla has been making strides in its Cybertruck project, with the vehicle chosen by Kazakhstan's State Guard Service for its Informal Summit of the Organization of Turkic States. The Cybertruck's capabilities, safety, and versatility make it a suitable choice for official state security operations, particularly in challenging mountainous terrain. Additionally, Tesla has filed plans to build a dedicated car wash for its Cybercab in Las Vegas, addressing the need for unsupervised FSD and ensuring the fleet's operational, safety, and effectiveness. This development highlights Tesla's commitment to scaling its Robotaxi network and addressing the challenges of maintaining a large-scale, fully autonomous taxi operation. Finally, Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany is receiving significant upgrades, with a focus on scaling vehicle output and advancing vertical integration through 4680 battery cells. The facility's expansion is expected to lift weekly production and address rebounding demand in Europe after a challenging 2025. These investments underscore Tesla's commitment to scaling efficiently in Germany while addressing regional supply chain needs.
