Autonomous Tesla Robotaxi Sighted in Austin Prior to Debut
Tesla's Robotaxi Service Set for Austin Launch
Tesla is set to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 12, 2025, with a phased rollout starting with Tesla employees and expanding to the public shortly thereafter. This announcement comes after successful testing of self-driving Model Y vehicles on Austin public streets, with no incidents reported [1][2].
The initial phase of the service will involve supervised vehicles as part of regulatory compliance under new Texas laws permitting autonomous rideshare services [3]. Tesla plans to deploy 10 to 20 driverless Model Ys in a limited area of Austin, marking a significant step towards the company's goal of launching a fare-based robotaxi fleet in the city.
Charles Qi, a member of Tesla's Autopilot and AI teams, has confirmed the driverless testing on public roads. Qi expressed pride in the team's work and hinted at further developments to come [4]. The sighting of a driverless Model Y, with "Robotaxi" graffiti, driving autonomously on South Congress Avenue in Austin, adds to the speculation surrounding Tesla's upcoming robotaxi service announcement [5].
Despite the excitement, regulatory approval delays have postponed the robotaxi launch in California. Meanwhile, Tesla continues mapping and testing in Austin [6]. Some controversy remains due to a lawsuit alleging Tesla concealed risks about the robotaxi service’s readiness and safety during public testing in Austin in late June, citing dangerous driving behaviors during rides [7].
Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software is still not fully autonomous, but the company is developing it with the aim of removing human oversight in the future. The deployment of driverless Model Ys in Austin is part of Tesla's strategy to test its self-driving technology in public areas before a full-scale launch.
The full public rollout of the robotaxi service is planned to start after initial internal testing, reflecting Tesla's confidence in the software stability [1][2]. Tesla secured a rideshare license in Texas to operate its robotaxi under state autonomous vehicle regulations effective September 1, 2025 [3].
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, stated that every Tesla coming out of the factory is capable of unsupervised self-driving. The footage of the driverless Model Y, posted by user @TerrapinTerpene, appears to confirm Tesla's real-world testing of its self-driving technology in public areas [8]. Qi's statement confirms that a significant amount of work has gone into the modeling, algorithms, systems, and operations of the driverless testing.
In summary, the launch of Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin is a significant milestone in the company's development of autonomous vehicles. The service, initially for Tesla employees, is set to start on June 12, 2025, with a public rollout expected shortly thereafter, pending regulatory compliance and safety verification.
The launch of Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin signifies a promising advancement in the automotive industry, with the service offering a glimpse into the future of transportation. As technology continues to evolve, Tesla's financial stability and commitment to innovation pave the way for autonomous vehicles to disrupt the transportation sector.
