Tesla launches Robotaxi service in Austin - The Robot Report

Tesla has officially launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, marking a key milestone in CEO Elon Musk’s vision for autonomous ride-hailing. The service operates a limited fleet of Tesla Model Y vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Currently, rides are available only to a select group of investors and influencers, with operations limited to clear weather conditions but running both day and night. Passengers pay a flat fee of $4.20 per ride, and while the vehicles operate autonomously, a Tesla safety monitor is present in the passenger seat, with remote monitoring by the company. Early rider feedback highlights some operational challenges, including vehicles veering into oncoming traffic lanes and difficulties with drop-off zones and app-based pickup/dropoff pin settings. Despite these issues, most rider videos and reports have been positive. Tesla’s Robotaxi launch follows competitors like Waymo, Zoox, and Motional, which have been conducting their own autonomous ride-hailing services in cities