Tesla Robotaxi: Musk Announces June 22 Launch Date

Tesla's Driverless Ride-Hailing Service Launch in Austin

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has announced that the company intends to initiate public trials of fully driverless vehicles in Austin, Texas, beginning on June 22nd. This launch would signify the commencement of the much-anticipated robotaxi service.

However, the specified date remains subject to potential adjustments. Musk stated that Tesla is prioritizing safety and exercising extreme caution. Recent observations have confirmed the testing of Tesla Model Y SUVs within Austin, notably without a driver present in the driver's seat.

Previous Launch Expectations

Initial reports from Bloomberg News indicated Tesla was considering a launch date of June 12th for this service. The company has been working towards this goal for several years.

A History of Self-Driving Claims

Musk has consistently predicted the arrival of self-driving Teslas for years. Back in 2019, he projected the launch of a robotaxi fleet in 2020, comprising one million driverless vehicles. This ambitious timeline ultimately proved unrealistic.

Instead, Tesla has focused on refining its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. It’s important to note that this system currently necessitates driver attention and the readiness to assume control at any moment.

Current FSD Investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating Tesla’s FSD software. This investigation stems from reported involvement in multiple accidents, some occurring in conditions of reduced visibility, including a fatal incident involving a pedestrian.

Unsupervised FSD and Vehicle Capabilities

Musk asserts that Tesla has advanced FSD to a level where continuous supervision is no longer required. The current iteration of FSD, operating in an “unsupervised” mode, is powering the test vehicles in Austin. He further claimed that all Teslas leaving the factory are now equipped for unsupervised driving.

These assertions are accompanied by certain limitations. The initial fleet, consisting of approximately 10 vehicles, will operate within designated, “safest” areas of Austin. Repeated testing has been observed in a specific neighborhood in Southeast Austin, likely for data collection and refinement of the driving experience.

Shift in Approach

This represents a departure from Musk’s earlier vision of FSD as a universally applicable self-driving solution. Tesla’s current strategy increasingly mirrors that of Waymo, which currently operates a commercial robotaxi service in several U.S. cities, employing a phased rollout approach.

Hardware Evolution and Upgrades

Musk’s claim regarding the unsupervised driving capability of new Teslas contrasts with his 2016 statement that all Tesla vehicles possessed the necessary hardware for full self-driving. This earlier assertion proved inaccurate.

Tesla has since implemented multiple iterations of FSD hardware. Musk acknowledged in January that millions of existing vehicles may require upgrades to support the latest software. The feasibility of such upgrades remains uncertain.