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Tesla's highly anticipated rollout of self-driving taxis in Austin is facing new questions from federal safety regulators.

Before the vehicles hit the streets next month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is demanding detailed answers on how Tesla plans to prevent accidents in risky weather conditions such as fog, rain, and sun glare — all factors linked to past crashes involving Tesla's driver-assist software.

According to AP News, the safety probe follows an earlier investigation of 2.4 million Tesla vehicles, sparked by incidents including a pedestrian fatality.

Now, the agency is focusing on Tesla's new robotaxi fleet, which will operate without steering wheels or brake pedals.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk remains confident. On a recent investor call, he assured shareholders that the Austin pilot will launch on schedule and quickly expand nationwide.

"Can you go to sleep in our cars and wake up at your destination?" Musk asked. "I'm confident that will be available in many cities in the US by the end of this year."

Tesla Must Answer Key Safety Questions by June 19

However, NHTSA has issued a nine-page letter requiring Tesla to provide specific details about its Austin fleet by June 19.

The agency is asking how many vehicles will be deployed, what types of cameras and sensors they use, how the cars are monitored remotely, and who is responsible for evaluating their safety.

Tech analyst Dan Ives from Wedbush Securities described the upcoming launch in Austin as a crucial milestone for the company, TheDetroitNews said.

"We expect a green light after Tesla's response, but the big focus is on more widespread launches in the US after the Austin pilot kicks off," Ives said.

Despite the attention, Tesla's rollout may face delays if NHTSA finds its responses incomplete or unsatisfactory. While the agency cannot block the launch directly, it can force a recall of unsafe vehicles.

"The agency cannot require some sort of pre-approval before Tesla can launch," explained former NHTSA chief Ann Carlson, "but it can act quickly if safety issues are found."

Tesla's future may depend heavily on the success of this pilot. The company saw its profits plunge by 71% last quarter and is also dealing with public criticism in Europe, partly due to Elon Musk's political ties and recent cost-cutting measures.

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