Something’s off.Tesla Robotaxi reportedly extended its Austin operating hours from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., while later-night service remains limited. The reported reason is an unusually vivid edge case: difficulty detecting pets that are hard to distinguish from dark pavement, described as “grey kittens on grey tarmac.”
What makes the account striking is the sensor trade-off behind it. The service is reported to rely on cameras, while its CEO has previously criticized lidar and radar—sensors the article says can help detect low-light, low-contrast objects. The report does not independently establish the service’s capabilities, the cause of its hours, or whether other factors are involved.
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