On Sunday, Tesla's Robotaxi service officially launched in South Austin. This marks the company's first real-world test of fully autonomous vehicles.
Initial Launch Phase
The service started with 10 Model Y vehicles operating in a limited area of South Austin, charging a flat fare of $4.20, as announced by Elon Musk in a tweet. Leading up to the launch, the company prepared users via social media.
Service Features
Robotaxi operates from 6:00 a.m. to midnight but may suspend operations in adverse weather. Each vehicle features a Tesla employee, termed a "safety monitor". Despite this presence, the vehicles are classified as fully driverless.
Issues and Limitations
Information about the service remains limited, with Tesla blocking press access to details related to the testing. In-cabin cameras are not activated during rides by default. Strict rules are enforced for passenger behavior.
The launch of Tesla's Robotaxi represents a significant advancement in autonomous driving, though questions about safety and transparency persist.
