Tesla is about to Define a bunch of YS models in Austin, TexasTo operate as a robotaxis, which seems to be a bad idea when you consider the part where Tesla’s pilot assistance software will not necessarily stop for school buses and can still decide to plaster a childEven if he detects one. It is therefore understandable that press organizations and security defenders want to know what Tesla spoke to the city of Austin of her proposed Robotaxi company. Tesla, however, tries to block the publication of this information, Reuters reports.
After Musk’s announcement in January, Reuters said he asked for “communications between Tesla and Austin officials in the previous two years” in February. Quick advance until April 1, and Austin’s public information manager Dan Davis said Reuters that “third parties” wanted these files to be refused to protect their “interests of confidentiality or property”. This, in turn, caused an examination by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas because they manage public disputes.
Two weeks later, a Tesla lawyer officially opposed the publication of confidential commercial and / or secret information, owners, in a competitive manner, and / or commercial secrecy, “claiming that it would give Reuters access to” Tesla’s deployment procedure, the process, the status and the strategy “and” Tesla de Tesla “. Reuters, however,” does not agree that ” Deploying unproven technology on Texas roads makes its plans “a question of enormous importance for Texas and the general public”.
The public deserves to know
Currently, no one really knows what’s going on with Tesla and her plans to launch a Robotaxi service in Austin. We know that it will start with a handful of Y models, and the service will not cover the whole city at the beginning, but beyond, it is essentially a mystery. That said, the city does not really have a power to regulate robotaxis operating in Austin, as Texas adopted a law in 2017 This prevents cities from doing exactly that. However, you have to ask yourself what, exactly, Tesla does not want to be made public.
According to the city, he “takes no position on the confidential nature of the information in question”, but is required to request an examination from the Attorney General at any time “a third party says that their information is owners and should not be published”. The AG’s decision on its exam is due next week, and I hope that Ken Paxton’s office is doing the right thing. Again, it’s Ken Paxton we are talking about, so we don’t count on it.
And if you live in Austin, good luck, and stay safe there. You will (probably) need it.