By Emergency Braking, I’m not talking about Tesla’s built in Collision Avoidance. This Emergency Brake can be used when parking on a hill or other steep incline - OR - if you are driving and your brake pedal is failing.
Parking on a Hill
Like all cars, when parking on a hill it is advised to turn your steering wheel so if your car was to accidentally roll, it would roll away from traffic and not into traffic. It is also advised to enable your Emergency Brake. When you put your car in Park, it stops the rear wheels from turning. That may not be good enough on snow and ice or an incline. When you push on the end of the PRND stock, you put your car in Park. If you push and hold, it will also engage the Emergency Brakes making it even harder for your car to roll. When the Emergency Brakes are applied the ((P)) icon will be displayed. When ready to drive, just do as normal and put car in “R” or “D”.
Driving and car not slowing or stopping
Push on the Park button while car is moving, and brakes will be applied. Like going down a hill too fast. An Emergency.
Hear are two YouTube videos that will help explain.
How to use the e-brake when parking:
How to use the e-brake while driving:
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest Tesla news, upcoming features and software updates.
Over the last few days, we’ve seen some exceptionally smooth performance from the latest version of FSD on Tesla’s Robotaxi Network pilot. However, the entire purpose of an early access program with Safety Monitors is to identify and learn from edge cases.
This week, the public saw the first recorded instance of a Safety Monitor intervention, providing a first look at how they’re expected to stop the vehicle.
The event involved a complex, low-speed interaction with a reversing UPS truck. The Safety Monitor intervened to stop the Robotaxi immediately, potentially avoiding a collision with the delivery truck. Let’s break down this textbook case of real-world unpredictability.
The Intervention [VIDEO]
In a video from a ride in Austin, a Robotaxi is preparing to pull over to its destination on the right side of the road, with its turn signal active. Ahead, a UPS truck comes to a stop. As the Model Y begins turning into the spot, the UPS truck, seemingly without signaling, starts to reverse. At this point, the Safety Monitor stepped in and pressed the In Lane Stop button on the main display, bringing the Robotaxi to an immediate halt.
This is precisely why Tesla has employed Safety Monitors in this initial pilot. They are there to proactively manage ambiguous situations where the intentions of other drivers are unclear. The system worked as designed, but it raises a key question: What would FSD have done on its own? It’s not clear whether the vehicle saw the truck backing up, or what it would do when it finally detected it. It’s also unclear whether the UPS driver recognized that the Robotaxi was pulling into the same spot at the exact same time.
It’s possible this wouldn’t result in a collision at all, but the Safety Monitor did the right thing by stepping in to prevent a potential collision, even one at low speed. Any collision just a few days after the Robotaxi Network launch could result in complications for Tesla.
Who Would Be At Fault?
This scenario is a classic edge case. It involves unclear right-of-way and unpredictable human behavior. Even for human drivers, the right-of-way here is complicated. While a reversing vehicle often bears responsibility, a forward-moving vehicle must also take precautions to avoid a collision. This legal and practical gray area is what makes these scenarios so challenging for AI to navigate.
Would the Robotaxi have continued, assuming the reversing truck would stop?
Or would it have identified the potential conflict and used its own ability to stop and reverse?
Without the intervention, it’s impossible to say for sure. However, crucial context comes from a different clip involving, surprisingly, another UPS delivery truck.
A Tale of Two Trucks
In a separate video posted on X, another Robotaxi encounters a remarkably similar situation. In that instance, as another UPS delivery truck obstructs the path forward, the Robotaxi comes to a stop to let its two passengers out just a few feet from their destination.
Once they depart, the Robotaxi successfully reverses and performs a three-point turn to extricate itself from a tight spot. That was all done without human intervention, by correctly identifying the situation.
This second clip is vital because it proves that the Robotaxi's FSD build has the underlying logic and capability to handle these scenarios. It can, and does, use reverse to safely navigate complex situations.
Far from being a failure, this first intervention should be seen as a success for Tesla’s safety methodology. It shows the safety system is working, allowing monitors to mitigate ambiguous events proactively.
More importantly, this incident provides Tesla’s FSD team with an invaluable real-world data point.
By comparing the intervened ride with the successful autonomous one, Tesla’s engineers can fine-tune FSD’s decision-making, which will likely have a positive impact on its edge case handling in the near future.
This is the purpose of a public pilot — to find the final edge cases and build a more robust system, one unpredictable reversing truck at a time.
With the launch of Tesla’s Robotaxi service, Tesla also introduced the new Robotaxi app. The app is currently only available to influencers who have access to the service, but it’s expected to roll out to everyone once the service is available to the general public.
Let’s have a look at all the features available in the current version of the app.
Sign In
From the moment you open the Tesla app, you’re greeted with a photo of the Model Y robotaxi. Although Tesla is using Model Ys in a variety of colors, the app theme uses the gold Cybercab color.
Similar to the Tesla app, you can sign in with your Tesla account or create a new account. Once you sign in, Tesla will automatically pull data from your Tesla account, including your profile photo and payment information.
This ends up being a really nice experience, similar to Supercharging. Whenever you reach your destination, there’s nothing to pay or do except to grab your belongings and exit the vehicle.
Search and Select Destination
Rob Maurer
Once you’re logged in, you get a map of your current location. You can see your current location on the map and the Robotaxi geofence.
Underneath, you have a search box to add a destination or filter for nearby places such as food and shopping. Tesla also includes your previously searched for destinations below that.
Before you even type anything in, Tesla lets you know the wait time for a Robotaxi at your location. Tesla also currently displays the fee even before you select a destination, as it’s currently a flat fee of $4.20. However, in the future, this will likely be displayed after you choose your destination.
Waiting For Your Ride
Sawyer Merritt / DirtyTesla
Once you’ve chosen a pickup location and destination, Tesla will show you the status of your taxi. You can track it in real-time on a map, and it’ll display a visualization of the vehicle and its ETA at your pickup location. It’ll also provide an estimate of when you’ll reach your destination.
A nice touch is that the app displays your vehicle’s color in the visualization and license plate, making it easier to find the vehicle when it arrives.
While you’re waiting, you can cancel the pickup or report an issue.
When Your Vehicle Arrives
@BLKMDL3
When your Robotaxi finally arrives, you’ll have access to some of the vehicle's controls, such as sounding the horn, flashing its lights, locking and unlocking it, and opening the trunk.
Live Activities
Tesla is also providing a Live Activity while you’re waiting for your ride, so that you can continue to track the vehicle even if you’re not in the Robotaxi app.
@DirtyTesla
Joe Tegtmeyer on X
Robotaxi Tips
@DirtyTesLa on X
The exterior lights pulse prompt in the app.
@DirtyTesLa on X
Tesla provides several tips in the app while you’re waiting for your vehicle. It’ll show you how to use the Model Y's handles, in case you’re not familiar with them. It’ll also remind you that the vehicle’s lights will pulse when it arrives at your pickup location, helping differentiate it from other Teslas on the road.
You can swipe left and right for additional tips.
Menu
Sawyer Merritt
Similar to the Tesla app, the Robotaxi app features a menu with similar options. It includes options we’re already familiar with, such as Security & Privacy and Payment. New to the Robotaxi app are Data Sharing, Ride History, Support, and Appearance.
Ride History: The Ride History section shows you all of your previous rides. It’ll display all of your rides broken down by date and destination. It’ll also include the fee and the time you were picked up.
If you tap into any ride, you’ll be able to see the route the Robotaxi took for that ride, as well as your pickup time, arrival at destination, distance, and fee.
On this screen, you can also report a lost item, but we have yet to see what that looks like.
Appearance: Unlike the Tesla app, which uses a dark theme throughout the app, the Robotaxi app lets you switch between light and dark modes. Unlike other apps, there isn’t an option for Auto to have it reflect what you’re using in the OS.
Sawyer Merritt
Data Sharing: The Data Sharing section includes an option to turn off device location, although Tesla requires it to be enabled to book a ride. Your location is tracked through the app even when the app isn’t running in the foreground. While Tesla said that cabin camera and microphone use would only be used when a rider agrees, they are requiring these optiosn to be turned on to actively details during the early-access period.
Support: Support currently has options to report a lost item or report a found item. While you can reach out to Tesla Robotaxi support in the vehicle, it doesn’t look like you can do it after the ride has completed.
Sawyer Merritt
Adjust Vehicle Settings
If you open the app while you’re in an active ride, you’ll be able to adjust various vehicle settings. This includes the cabin temperature, music controls, and volume.
Sawyer Merritt
Call Support or Pull Over
Similar to the controls on the rear screen of the vehicle, you can also call support or have the vehicle pull over directly from the Robotaxi app. While the safety monitor has additional controls, such as Stop in Lane, users are limited to these two buttons.
Tipping
Sawyer Merritt / DirtyTesla
At the end of your ride, you’ll need to tap Finish Ride and Tesla shows you how to exit the vehicle. You’ll also be able to open the trunk or reach out to Tesla support.
You’ll be given a chance to rate your ride and even tip the driv— car. However, Tesla has a little easter egg for anyone looking to tip, which can be seen in the video below:
The Robotaxi app is currently being offered to 20 influencers who were invited to the event through a special link. Unfortunately, it’s not yet available in the App Store. While influencers could bring one guest with them, only the invitee could download and use the Robotaxi app.
The app is currently only available for Apple devices, but it’s expected to have an Android counterpart when, or shortly after, it launches to the public.
![First Recorded Tesla Robotaxi Intervention: UPS Truck Encounter [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2025/robotaxi_model_y.jpg/3036d8b53214c2d071c978c42911e451/robotaxi_model_y.jpg)
![First Look at Tesla's Robotaxi App and Its Features [PHOTOS]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/tesla-app/robotaxi-app/robotaxi-app-tips.webp/e643a61975bf712d18dc9aa9a48fdb01/robotaxi-app-tips.jpg)
![Tesla’s New Camera Cleaning Feature and the Future of Cleaning Robotaxis [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2024/windshield-rain-droplets.jpg/8335f3020509dab3cdb56c1a91d054a9/windshield-rain-droplets.jpg)
![Tesla Launches Robotaxi: Features, Robotaxi App, Command Center and First Impressions [VIDEO]](https://www.notateslaapp.com/img/containers/article_images/2025/robotaxi_rear_screen.jpg/bf5ea088bdebda8ca7e0aa1503b69f4e/robotaxi_rear_screen.jpg)
