Tesla Robotaxi Safety Monitor Appears to Nod Off During Bay Area Ride

A recent Tesla Robotaxi ride in the Bay Area took an unnerving turn when the designated safety monitor was observed appearing to doze off multiple times during the journey. This incident, captured on camera and shared online, raises questions about the effectiveness of current safety protocols for autonomous vehicle services.

Key Takeaways

• A Tesla Robotaxi safety monitor was reportedly seen sleeping during a ride in the Bay Area.

• The vehicle's "pay attention" alert system repeatedly woke the monitor.

• The passenger reported the incident to Tesla but received no response.

• This contrasts with Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin, which often operates without a monitor.

A Passenger's Alarming Experience

A Reddit user, u/ohmichael, shared their experience using Tesla's ride-hailing service in San Francisco. While previous rides had been positive, this particular journey was marred by the safety driver's apparent drowsiness. The user reported that the monitor fell asleep at least three times, with the car's internal alert system being the only thing to rouse them.

Reporting the Incident

The passenger stated they reported the issue through the app to Tesla's Robotaxi support team, mentioning they had video evidence. However, after more than a week with no response, they decided to make the incident public, expressing concern for other riders.

Safety Monitor Role and Tesla's Approach

The presence of a safety monitor in the driver's seat is a requirement in the Bay Area due to local regulations, differentiating it from the Austin, Texas, service where monitors are often absent unless highway driving is involved. Tesla has previously indicated plans to phase out these monitors in Austin by the end of the year, suggesting a growing confidence in the autonomous system's capabilities.

Public Reaction and Concerns

The incident has sparked discussion online, with some questioning why the passenger did not attempt to wake the driver or contact Tesla more directly at the time. However, the primary concern remains the safety of passengers when the individual responsible for overseeing the autonomous system is not fully alert.