A job posting on Tesla's website reveals the company is seeking vehicle operators in Queens, New York. Those hired will be responsible for driving for extended periods, collecting audio and visual data for testing and training.
A spokesperson for the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) told CNBC on 11/8 that Tesla has not applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the city's streets.
According to the DOT spokesperson, any company granted an AV testing permit in New York must have a trained safety driver behind the wheel, ready to take control of the vehicle at any time.
 |
A Tesla robotaxi in Texas, USA. Photo: Road to Autonomy |
A Tesla robotaxi in Texas, USA. Photo: Road to Autonomy
Alphabet's Waymo, the leading robotaxi company in North America, has applied for an AV testing permit in New York. This application is still under review.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is attempting to convince investors that the company's future revolves around AI and robotics, rather than its current electric vehicle sales. However, nearly all of Tesla's revenue still comes from electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.
Tesla's electric vehicle sales have declined this year, especially in Europe, partly due to Musk's decision to focus on the Cybertruck instead of producing a more affordable, mass-appeal electric vehicle model. Some of the company's challenges stem from backlash against Tesla due to Musk's controversial political statements.
Along with the recruitment effort in Queens, Tesla is also seeking test drivers for its Autopilot team to collect data from trips in cities and suburbs around Dallas, Houston, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, as well as Palo Alto, California – where Tesla's engineering headquarters is located.
Last week, Tesla applied for a permit to operate a ride-hailing service in Texas. Tesla Robotaxi LLC's permit and state regulations do not require Tesla to have a safety driver in the vehicle.
However, Tesla has operated a robotaxi fleet in Austin since the end of June, with employees sitting in the front passenger seat, tasked with manually intervening in the trip if necessary. This service is only available to invited users. Musk said in a post on X last weekend that he plans to open the service in Austin to the public next month.
Tesla's approach to self-driving cars has led to federal investigations, product liability lawsuits, and vehicle recalls following accidents resulting in injuries or damages that occurred while drivers were using the Autopilot or FSD systems.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles previously sued Tesla, accusing the company of falsely advertising its driver-assistance systems.
Although Tesla's owner's manual states that the Autopilot and FSD features in their vehicles are "practice" systems, requiring the driver to be ready to steer or brake at any time, Tesla and Musk have repeatedly made statements that Tesla vehicles can "self-drive".
My Anh
