Tesla's Autonomous Taxi Showcases Performance in First Journey Around South Austin (VIDEO)
**Tesla Launches Robotaxi Service in Austin, Texas**
Tesla has taken a significant step forward in its ambitions for a vast Robotaxi network by officially launching its autonomous taxi service in Austin, Texas. The service, which started around late June 2025, deploys an initial fleet of approximately ten Model Y SUVs operating within a geofenced service area in South Austin.
The service, which offers a real-time experience of a driver-free future across public roads, showcases Tesla's "true vision" approach to autonomous driving. The vehicles navigate turns, adjust speed, and react to traffic and stop signs with near-human finesse, all without the use of lidars or radars, relying solely on cameras for autonomous driving.
The Tesla Robotaxi service in Austin uses Tesla's Full Self-Driving software coupled with their latest neural-net models to keep pace with real-world driving challenges. This approach, different from competitors like Waymo, is Tesla's first major test of Elon Musk's vision to use camera-only, end-to-end AI for fully autonomous vehicles.
However, the service is still cautious, with the cars avoiding complex intersections unless the AI is "highly confident" it can handle them. This cautious approach is in response to ongoing issues with Tesla's self-driving software and concerns from Texas lawmakers and safety advocates who have urged Tesla to delay the launch until a new autonomous vehicle safety law takes effect on September 1, 2025. This law requires driverless cars to be authorized by the DMV and meet strict safety and emergency response criteria.
The service operates from 6 a.m. to midnight daily, with a Tesla Safety Monitor riding shotgun for every trip. Teleoperators are available through live support for immediate assistance. Interested individuals can register their interest in riding a Tesla Robotaxi when the service becomes available in their area through Tesla's website.
Regarding expansion plans and availability in other areas, no official announcements have been made beyond Austin yet. The cautious limited launch suggests further expansion will likely depend on regulatory approvals and overcoming technical hurdles demonstrated during this initial Austin phase.
In summary, Tesla's Robotaxi service in Austin is a cautious, early-stage deployment amid regulatory and technical challenges, with expansion plans remaining uncertain pending further testing and compliance.
The Tesla Robotaxi service in Austin, launched in June 2025, epitomizes Tesla's commitment to realizing a driver-free future through the utilization of advanced technology and camera-only, end-to-end AI.
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