TechCrunch Mobility: RIP, Tesla Autopilot, and the NTSB investigates Waymo

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into Waymo following reports that its robotaxis illegally passed stopped school buses multiple times in at least two states. This development adds scrutiny to Waymo’s autonomous vehicle operations amid growing regulatory attention. Meanwhile, Tesla made significant moves in its automated driving technology ahead of its quarterly earnings report. Tesla began offering front-seat robotaxi rides in Austin using a fleet of modified Model Y vehicles running an advanced version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, moving toward broader deployment despite human safety operators still being present and chase vehicles following some cars. In a notable shift, Tesla discontinued its basic Autopilot system, which had been standard in all vehicles since 2014, and is now focusing solely on its more advanced, subscription-based Full Self-Driving software. This change comes shortly after Tesla stopped charging a one-time $8,000 fee for FSD, opting for a monthly subscription model instead. The move appears aimed at increasing