Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company’s long-anticipated robotaxi service is tentatively scheduled to commence public rides on June 22 in Austin, Texas. The initial rollout will feature a limited fleet of 10 to 20 driverless Model Y vehicles operating within designated areas of the city.
Emphasizing safety, Musk stated that the vehicles would be under remote human supervision during the early stages of deployment. He also mentioned that all newly produced Teslas are now capable of unsupervised self-driving through software updates.
The robotaxi initiative represents a significant shift in Tesla’s strategy, focusing more on autonomous vehicle technology rather than developing a more affordable electric vehicle platform. Musk envisions a rapid expansion of the service, aiming to scale up to thousands of vehicles across multiple cities in the near future.
While the launch is a pivotal moment for Tesla, industry experts remain cautious, citing previous delays in the company’s autonomous vehicle projects and the need for regulatory approvals.
