Robotaxi trial: How Tesla's advanced tech will ensure public safety

Tesla is launching a robotaxi trial in Austin starting June 22, 2025, deploying a small fleet of around 10 Model Y vehicles within a geofenced area. The service will operate daily from 6:00 AM to midnight, excluding airports and potentially limited by weather conditions. Access to the trial is invitation-only, primarily extended to Tesla investors and enthusiasts via the Robotaxi App, allowing users to request rides and provide feedback. To ensure safety, Tesla will implement teleoperation—remote human monitoring and control of vehicles—to manage unforeseen events and take control if necessary, especially during the early stages of deployment. While teleoperation is a common method used to supervise autonomous vehicles, experts caution about its reliability due to potential cellular network delays or disconnections, which could pose safety risks. Tesla plans to avoid the most challenging intersections in Austin during initial testing to mitigate risks. The company aims to expand the robotaxi service to other cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, and San Francisco by the