Self-Driving Tech Under Pressure
With autonomous vehicles advancing rapidly, robotaxi operations are expanding as well, with Tesla preparing its own push through the two-seat Cybercab. But as the sector remains in an early, transitional phase, crashes involving autonomous technology remain a concern. Avride, Inc. is now the latest company under scrutiny.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into 16 crashes involving Avride, a U.S.-based company that has been developing autonomous technology since 2017. These incidents were recorded in Dallas and Austin, with some vehicles operating through Uber’s ride-hailing platform.
What NHTSA Says Went Wrong
According to the report, the automated vehicles involved in the crashes were operating with Avride’s automated driving system engaged. NHTSA pointed to alleged ADS failures, including changing lanes into the path of other vehicles, failing to properly respond to vehicles entering or occupying the lane ahead, and striking stationary objects partially obstructing the lane. These happened while under the supervision of an in-vehicle operator in the driver's seat.
One alleged minor injury and property damage were reported as a result of the ADS-related issues.
The investigation has been opened to evaluate the performance of the Avride ADS, including its technical capabilities, the potential risks it may pose to passengers and other road users, and its ability to perform dynamic driving tasks safely. Whatever the outcome, the investigation could prove significant for Avride’s position in the broader robotaxi sector, especially since the 16 recorded crashes raised concerns over traffic safety compliance. Many of the incidents were reported in Dallas, where the company has been operating since December 3, 2025.
Competition in the Robotaxi Sector Is Intensifying
Tesla has also expanded its robotaxi operations in Texas, including recent additions in Dallas and Houston. It is worth noting, though, that Tesla is currently operating Model Y robotaxis while seeking approval for fully driverless Cybercab operations. For reference, the Cybercab was designed without a steering wheel or pedals, meaning Tesla would need full driverless approval for the vehicle to function as originally intended.
While Tesla and Avride continue to deal with challenges in the robotaxi business, Waymo appears to be leading the U.S. market. Waymo currently deploys driverless Jaguar I-Pace EVs and plans to expand its fleet with new vehicles, including the Zeekr-built Ojai minivan.
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