Tesla kept its promise and launched its Robotaxi this Sunday

Tesla has launched its Robotaxi service in Austin. A cautious and ultimately under-the-radar revolution, but very real.

This is a major milestone for Tesla. On Sunday, Elon Musk’s brand officially launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. In the afternoon, a handful of invited users were able to take their first autonomous rides with a Tesla Model Y equipped with the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. However, a Tesla employee remained seated in the front as a safety supervisor, but no driver occupied the left seat.

Unlike the loud presentation of the Cybercab in 2024, this launch took place with relative discretion. No big media event, no global livestream. Did Tesla fear disruptions, a false start, or choose to return to a more measured, pragmatic approach, letting the facts speak for themselves instead of promises?

Little by Little, the Robotaxi Leaves Its Nest

The deployment area is limited to a geo-fenced perimeter in the south of Austin, carefully mapped out. Ten to twenty vehicles circulate between 6 AM and midnight, with a unique promotional fare set at $4.20 per trip, a nod to 420, a recurring gimmick of Elon Musk. Rides can be reserved via the Tesla app, enhanced with a dedicated interface allowing users to set their destination and synchronize certain preferences like music or air conditioning.

Tesla is proceeding cautiously, however: no trips during bad weather, nor in complex areas, and passengers must be over 18 years old. In case of need, an emergency stop button is available to the supervisor.

Initial feedback posted on social media describes a smooth experience, although some hesitations from the system were observed. Tesla is still betting on its 100% camera vision and AI learning technology, unlike competitors like Waymo that use Lidar and radar.

Elon Musk is already mentioning a massive rollout “in the coming months,” without a specific timeline. While awaiting the arrival of the Cybercab, scheduled for 2026, the California firm will need to convince authorities and the general public that an autonomous car can be both safe, reliable, and accessible.

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