TechCrunch Mobility: The Tesla robotaxi Rorschach test and Redwood’s next big act

The article from TechCrunch Mobility centers on Tesla’s recent limited rollout of its robotaxi service in Austin, marking a significant test of CEO Elon Musk’s vision for fully autonomous vehicles relying solely on cameras and end-to-end AI, contrasting with competitors like Waymo. Although the deployment is small-scale—with fewer than 20 vehicles operating in a confined area and safety drivers present—the public reaction has been highly polarized. Social media videos highlighted instances of questionable driving behavior, such as crossing double yellow lines and abrupt stops, fueling debate over Tesla’s readiness and Musk’s promises. The article suggests that after one week, the situation remains ambiguous, with much noise but little definitive evidence on the technology’s success or failure. Additionally, the piece touches on internal challenges at Tesla, including reports of upcoming layoffs following a year marked by executive departures and a tense work environment driven by production pressures, particularly around the Cybercab project. Meanwhile, in the broader autonomous vehicle sector, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is reportedly planning to