In Austin, Texas, Elon Musk has announced that Tesla plans to commence its robotaxi service on June 22, though he notes that this date may be subject to change due to heightened safety concerns. The announcement was made through a post on his social media platform, indicating the company’s cautious approach amid high anticipation from investors, Wall Street analysts, and Tesla fans.
Earlier this year, Musk had teased the prospective launch, driving considerable interest and speculation about the timeframe and execution. In recent statements, notably in an interview with CNBC, Musk mentioned that the initial phase would involve a limited number of taxis, likely around ten. These vehicles will be monitored remotely and confined to specific parts of Austin, identified as the most suitable for navigating safely. This strategic rollout is set to expand quickly, with plans to introduce the service in other major cities such as Los Angeles, San Antonio, and San Francisco.
Musk, who has long been an advocate of autonomous vehicles, has been promising fully self-driving technology for nearly a decade. However, with this initiative, Tesla is putting itself firmly under scrutiny as the company steps into the realm of operating an actual driverless taxi service. The pressure to succeed is compounded by the recent challenges Tesla has faced, such as decreasing electric vehicle sales due to stronger competition, adjustments to its flagship Model Y, and the impact of Musk’s foray into political issues.
Furthermore, Tesla’s move to launch its robotaxi service comes on the heels of a public dispute between Musk and former President Donald Trump, relating to the tax legislation of the administration. There are concerns among some analysts that this tension could provoke potential retaliation, possibly influencing federal safety regulators to take a closer look at Tesla’s operations should any issues arise with the new service.