Tesla Robotaxi Launched In Austin — Check Price, Elon Musk's Reaction, Videos And More
According to media reports, the Robotaxi service is operating with an upgraded Tesla Model Y, which has been chosen as the primary vehicle for its initial public rollout.
After years of anticipation and repeated delays, Elon Musk’s Tesla has introduced its autonomous Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. This initial launch is far from a full-scale rollout. Only a handful of social media influencers and content creators, believed to be closely associated with Tesla, have so far experienced the rides.
In a post on X, Elon Musk confirmed the launch, stating that passengers are currently being charged a flat fare of $4.20 (around Rs 365) per journey.
In another post, he wrote, "Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @Robotaxi launch!! Culmination of a decade of hard work. Both the AI chip and software teams were built from scratch within Tesla."
According to a report in Teslarati, the Robotaxi service is operating with an upgraded Tesla Model Y, which has been chosen as the primary vehicle for its initial public rollout. The report added that while the Robotaxi service is launching in Austin, Tesla has already begun navigating regulatory approvals in other regions, including California.
A Reuters report stated that early on Sunday, June 22, several Teslas were seen driving through Austin without anyone behind the wheel, apart from a passenger in the front seat.
The company is conducting a limited pilot involving around 10 vehicles, with onboard "safety monitors," though the extent of their control over the autonomous cars remains uncertain, the report added.
Tesla investor and social media figure Sawyer Merritt shared various videos on X, including one at "nighttime," documenting his experience of riding on the Tesla Robotaxi.
According to reports, the Robotaxis operate within a limited area of Austin between 6 a.m. and midnight. However, early users have pointed out restrictions in service, especially during adverse weather conditions, as noted in the terms of use shared online.
Despite the milestone, Tesla's autonomous ambitions in Texas are already running into potential hurdles. Just ahead of the Robotaxi launch, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed new legislation regulating self-driving vehicles. The legislation, set to take effect on September 1, reflects a bipartisan push among Texas lawmakers for a cautious and regulated approach to the growth of the driverless vehicle industry, reported Reuters.
The timing of the law’s passage is seen as a critical development, possibly complicating Tesla’s roadmap. Although Musk has signalled plans to expand the service to more US cities swiftly, no timeline has been given for when the general public in Austin might gain access to the Robotaxi fleet.
Tesla’s Robotaxi launch follows over a decade of Elon Musk’s delayed pledges to bring fully autonomous vehicles to the roads. Musk has emphasised the company will be “super paranoid” about safety in Austin, restricting operations to specific zones, as per the Reuters report.
