A Tesla Robotaxi has experienced its first recorded collision, as captured in a video that has surfaced online. The incident involved the autonomous vehicle awkwardly veering into a parked car, raising questions about the reliability of Tesla’s much-publicized vision-only Robotaxi program. Fortunately, the damage appears to be minimal, if not entirely absent.
This development comes as Tesla’s ambitious autonomous driving initiatives continue to be scrutinized. The incident was initially shared by a Tesla influencer known as Chris, or “DirtyTesla” online, who has been actively testing the Robotaxi system. The video, first posted on June 24, reveals the Robotaxi gently colliding with a stationary Toyota Camry, an occurrence that Chris documented and later shared on YouTube.
Details of the Incident
According to Chris, the Robotaxi faced difficulties while attempting to navigate into the parking lot of Home Slice Pizza, a local eatery. After failing to enter the lot, the vehicle terminated the ride, leaving Chris at the entrance. As he began filming, the Tesla unexpectedly turned its wheels and proceeded toward the parked Toyota Camry, ultimately making contact.
Chris initially believed that the safety driver intervened before the collision, but later clarified on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, that the vehicle did indeed make contact. The Robotaxi’s tire lightly touched the Camry’s door before coming to a halt and activating its hazard lights.
Implications for Tesla’s Autonomous Program
This incident marks the first known collision involving Tesla’s Robotaxi program, which recently commenced a limited pilot phase. The occurrence is symbolic, highlighting potential flaws in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software. Despite Musk’s assurances of enhanced safety measures, including the employment of remote teleoperators, the presence of a safety operator in the passenger seat rather than at the wheel suggests a cautious approach.
Tesla’s decision to remove ultrasonic sensors in favor of a vision-only system in 2022 has been a point of contention. The Robotaxi’s inability to detect a parked vehicle raises concerns about the efficacy of this system. While the Camry may have been in a blind spot, or the vision system may have malfunctioned, such a basic oversight is troubling.
Comparisons and Expert Opinions
Industry experts have noted that Tesla’s autonomous program appears to lag behind competitors like Waymo, which has demonstrated more advanced capabilities. The Robotaxi’s collision, albeit minor, underscores the challenges Tesla faces as it seeks to refine its technology.
“A basic collision avoidance system should be able to spot a parked object. It’s kind of the entire purpose of things like ultrasonic sensors,” commented a transportation analyst.
While the collision was not a high-speed incident, it adds to the scrutiny Tesla faces over its Full Self-Driving system, which has been criticized for erratic behavior in recent weeks. The attention from federal regulators further complicates Tesla’s efforts to advance its autonomous driving technology.
Looking Ahead
As Tesla continues to develop its Robotaxi program, improvements are undoubtedly possible. However, this collision serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in achieving fully autonomous driving. The incident suggests that Tesla’s journey may encounter obstacles, both literal and metaphorical, as it strives to perfect its technology.
Correction July 7, 2025, at 4:00 P.M. ET: The original version of this story mistakenly stated that the crash occurred over the past weekend. The initial video was posted on June 24, but the collision was only recognized later. A new YouTube video documenting the incident was posted on July 2. We apologize for the error.
