Self-driving car outfits don’t like to admit it, but they’ve got a human crutch called “teleoperation.” Fancy term for folks stepping in to help these so-called autonomous vehicles when they can’t hack it on their own. It’s like having training wheels on a grown-up bike. But hey, that’s reality when you’ve got tech that still needs a human touch for those pesky, unexpected road situations.
Days before Tesla’s grand Robotaxi show in Austin, the details on their teleoperations are murky. There’s a job ad out there mentioning VR rigs for remote operators, but good luck getting straight answers from Tesla or the bureaucracy. Tesla dropped its PR team in 2020, so don’t hold your breath for clarity.
The NHTSA shot off questions to Tesla about their teleoperations, with answers expected after the launch. Seems a bit backward, doesn’t it? The Los Angeles Times caught Tesla’s Optimus robot getting the teleoperation treatment during a demo. So, it’s clear these bots aren’t flying solo just yet.
Austin and state officials keep pointing back to Tesla for answers. Classic pass-the-buck scenario. Meanwhile, Tesla has California permits for testing with a driver, hinting that some communication system is in place. But what’s in Austin’s playbook remains anyone’s guess.
“Teleoperation” doesn’t even have a standardized definition in this industry dog and pony show. It’s worth breaking down some lingo: remote operations include folks who handle customer queries and emergencies, like Waymo’s support button for passengers. Tesla’s jobs suggest more hands-on VR involvement, hinting at remote driving rather than just assistance.
Teleoperations aren’t cheating — it’s just accepting the tech’s limitations, which is wise considering the stakes. The big safety question comes down to who decides when help is needed, the machine or the handler. Relying on tech to know its shortcomings beats leaving it to human attention spans.
Imagine driving remotely without feeling the car’s movement. It might sound cool, but the tech challenges are immense. Losing connection mid-operation is a recipe for disaster, making remote driving questionable at typical driving speeds. It’s doable for slow-moving delivery bots, not your typical freeway hustle.
If Tesla sticks to Elon Musk’s claims of starting small with 10 to 20 cars, expect heavy reliance on those remote operators. Expansion plans sound like aiming for the stars with a rocket made of paper. Keep an eye on the actual roles humans play in this setup and whether safety takes a back seat to ambition. ‘Cause at the end of each hype cycle, it’s your wallet and their reputation on the line.
