Tesla's ambitious plans for a future dominated by robotaxis have hit a roadblock as a Wall Street analyst, William Stein of Truist Securities, recently reported unsettling findings regarding the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature. Stein's test drive of Tesla's latest self-driving car revealed concerning behaviors, such as illegal maneuvers and the need for frequent human intervention to avoid accidents.

While Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has been steadfast in his claims that FSD is safer than a human driver and holds the key to the company's future success, Stein's experience contradicts these assertions. Despite some improvements noted in the FSD system, including adaptability to challenging disruptions and smoother driving overall, serious issues persist, raising doubts about the readiness of autonomous driving and robotaxi services that Musk envisions.

Musk has touted the potential value of Tesla's future robotaxi service, projecting a substantial increase in Tesla's worth. However, delays in rolling out details of the service to address necessary improvements indicate that significant challenges lie ahead. The company's earnings statement highlighted the dependence on technological advancements and regulatory approval for the success of the robotaxi service, with Musk acknowledging past over-optimism in his predictions.

Concerns from safety regulators, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), have cast shadows over Tesla's self-driving features. Previous recalls of vehicles with Autopilot features due to safety risks and the recent recall of Tesla vehicles for a software issue further underscore the regulatory challenges facing Tesla in ensuring the safety and reliability of its self-driving technology.

As Tesla grapples with criticism and regulatory hurdles surrounding its Full Self-Driving feature, the company faces mounting pressure to address concerns over the safety and functionality of its autonomous driving systems. The road to a future dominated by robotaxis appears fraught with obstacles, questioning the feasibility and timeline of Musk's grand vision for Tesla's future.