Tesla's robotaxi service is expected to launch in Austin, Texas soon, with a possible date of June 12th, though details are vague on accessibility and operations.
Elon Musk has mentioned testing self-driving Model Y cars in Austin without safety drivers a month ahead of schedule.
However, Tesla has not publicly demonstrated fully driverless operation on public roads yet.
The robotaxi service will likely start with 10–20 specialized Model Y vehicles with teleoperation capabilities.
Unlike typical robotaxi launches, Tesla's approach seems less transparent and more invite-only, diverging from industry norms observed in companies like Waymo.
Waymo, the only public robotaxi service in the US, emphasizes thorough testing and transparency in comparison to Tesla's more secretive approach.
Concerns from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revolve around the safety of Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature on which the robotaxi service is based.
With trust being a crucial factor in public acceptance of self-driving technology, Tesla's controversial reputation and lack of transparency pose challenges for its robotaxi service.
The success of Tesla's robotaxi business may be hindered by public skepticism towards autonomous vehicles and the company's tarnished image under Elon Musk's leadership.
While Tesla has loyal supporters, uncertainties surrounding the robotaxi service raise doubts about its potential success in an industry where trust and transparency are paramount.