Tesla has provided fresh details on two crashes involving its robotaxis in Austin, Texas, where remote operators driving at low speeds collided with physical barriers while safety monitors were in the vehicles.
- Two crashes involved remote operators driving Tesla robotaxis below 10 mph.
- Safety monitors were present in both vehicles, with minor injuries reported.
- Tesla’s remote driving approach differs from other operators’ more limited control methods.
What happened
In July 2025 and January 2026, Tesla robotaxis experienced collisions at low speeds under the control of remote workers. In the first event, a remote operator drove a vehicle into a metal fence after the car stopped on the roadside. The safety monitor in the passenger seat sustained minor injuries but was not hospitalized. In the second incident, remote control guided a robotaxi into a temporary construction barricade, damaging the car’s front left fender and tire without causing any injuries.
Both events occurred in Austin, Texas, where Tesla operates one of its few active robotaxi services. At the time, no passengers were present, only safety monitors who oversee the vehicle’s autonomous functions and remotely intervene when necessary. These details were revealed as part of Tesla’s updates on its still-developing self-driving technology.
Why it matters
Tesla’s approach to remote operation is notably different from other self-driving companies. While peers like Waymo restrict remote control to low speeds or limited input that the vehicle can ignore, Tesla allows remote workers to take full driving control more frequently. This raises concerns about the effectiveness and safety of teleoperation, especially given possible connectivity challenges and the remote driver’s need for comprehensive situational awareness.
The incidents highlight the critical but often overlooked role of human backstops in autonomous vehicle systems. As Tesla and other companies scale their robotaxi fleets, understanding and managing the risks of remote human intervention will be essential for improving safety and public trust in self-driving transportation.
What to watch next
Tesla’s robotaxi service remains relatively small compared to competitors, operating fewer than 100 vehicles across Texas cities, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Wait times and availability issues persist, indicating that the service is still in an early and experimental phase. Market observers will be watching how Tesla expands its fleet and whether it adapts its teleoperation protocols to improve safety outcomes.
Regulatory scrutiny may increase as these details emerge publicly, particularly concerning how remote operators are trained and how much control they are permitted. Tesla’s progress and any future incident disclosures will influence broader conversations on autonomous vehicle oversight, the role of human operators, and the pace at which fully driverless services can be safely deployed.