Mon, 23 Jun 2025

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 Tesla robotaxi 'low-key' launch in Texas

Tesla hopes to rival firms already offering driverless ride-hailing in the US and around the world, such as Waymo, Zoox and Baidu.

* Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas on Sunday, with a small group of invited analysts and shareholders participating in paid rides.
* The vehicles deployed had a human safety operator in the passenger seat.
* Analysts say the launch highlights Tesla's bid to compete with existing self-driving taxi operators in the US and China.
* Elon Musk congratulated Tesla's AI and chip design teams on the launch, calling it "the culmination of a decade of hard work".
* The robotaxi service is currently limited to a small area of Austin and only a handful of vehicles are available.
* Forrester analyst Paul Miller says the launch is a "low-key affair" but highlights Tesla's ambitions to rival firms offering driverless ride-hailing services in the US and around the world.
* Tesla is betting that its volume of cars delivered, data from vehicles, and cheaper camera-based self-driving tech will allow it to compete with rivals.
* However, Miller warns that Tesla's ability to compete will depend on improvement of its advanced assisted driving system (FSD), which has been subject to probes by US auto regulators and complaints from customers about its safety.
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