Elon Musk’s Tesla rolls out first robotaxi fleet in Austin trial

Elon Musk’s Tesla has officially launched its first robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, marking a significant milestone in the company’s push toward full vehicle autonomy. Beginning June 22, a limited fleet of 10 to 20 Model Y SUVs equipped with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software began operating within a geofenced area in South Austin. Customers can book rides via a dedicated app, paying a flat fee of $4.20 per trip. Despite the excitement, the rollout remains cautious: each vehicle includes a safety monitor in the front seat ready to take control if necessary, reflecting Tesla’s emphasis on safety amid evolving regulatory requirements, including a new Texas law mandating permits for self-driving cars starting September 1. Tesla’s approach relies on eight cameras per vehicle and does not use lidar or pre-mapped routes, which the company claims allows for scalable deployment in multiple cities without extensive infrastructure. Plans are already underway to expand robotaxi operations to San Francisco and Los Angeles.