In an exciting development for the future of transportation, the CEO of Tesla has announced plans to initiate public rides in autonomous vehicles in Austin, Texas, starting June 22. This marks a significant milestone in the long-anticipated rollout of the company’s robotaxi service, which has been a topic of discussion for several years.
However, the launch date may be subject to change as Musk has expressed that Tesla is prioritizing safety above all else. Recently, Tesla Model Y SUVs have been observed navigating the streets of Austin without any drivers present, indicating that testing is actively underway. Earlier reports suggested that the company was aiming for a June 12 launch, but the focus on safety could lead to adjustments in the timeline.
For years, Musk has been vocal about his vision for fully autonomous Teslas. Back in 2019, he projected that a robotaxi service would be operational by 2020, featuring a fleet of one million self-driving vehicles. Unfortunately, that ambitious goal did not materialize as planned.
Instead, Tesla has dedicated the intervening years to refining its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which still requires drivers to remain alert and ready to take control at any moment. This software is currently under scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration due to its involvement in several accidents, particularly in low-visibility conditions, including a tragic incident resulting in a pedestrian’s death.
Musk asserts that Tesla has now advanced FSD to a level where it can operate without human oversight. The latest iteration of this software, which is being tested in Austin, is designed for “unsupervised” driving. He recently claimed that every new Tesla produced is equipped for this type of operation.
Nevertheless, there are important limitations to consider. The initial fleet for the robotaxi service will consist of approximately ten vehicles, which will be restricted to the safest areas of Austin. These vehicles have been frequently seen in a specific neighborhood, likely collecting data to enhance the user experience.
This approach marks a shift from Musk’s previous assertions that FSD would function as a universal self-driving solution applicable in any environment without human intervention. Tesla’s current strategy resembles that of other companies, such as Waymo, which has successfully launched a commercial robotaxi service in various U.S. cities.
Additionally, Musk’s recent claims about the capabilities of new Teslas for unsupervised driving represent a significant departure from his 2016 promise that all Tesla vehicles would possess the necessary hardware for full autonomy. This assertion has proven to be inaccurate, as the company has introduced multiple iterations of FSD hardware over the years. In fact, Musk acknowledged earlier this year that millions of vehicles would require upgrades to support the latest software, leaving uncertainty about the feasibility of such upgrades.