Tesla launches robotaxi rides in Austin with promises and unanswered questions

10 months ago

Tesla has launched driverless Model Y rides in Austin, marking a significant milestone in autonomous vehicle deployment.
The service operates with a flat fee of $4.20 per ride and is available from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., weather permitting.
Tesla is using 2025 Model Y SUVs equipped with a new 'unsupervised' version of Full Self-Driving software, not the futuristic Cybercabs.
A Tesla employee acts as a 'safety monitor' in the front passenger seat, though their exact role and control level remain unclear.
Initial fleet size is small, with about 10 vehicles operating in a defined area of South Austin.
Tesla has been selective with information, sharing details mainly through supporters and resisting public records requests.
Riders are encouraged to share their experiences but face restrictions on content dissemination to avoid service misuse.
The launch follows years of promises from Elon Musk and represents a test of Tesla's camera and AI-based autonomous driving approach.

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