Tesla CEO Musk Announces Tentative Robotaxi Launch June 22 Austin

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the company plans to tentatively launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 22, 2025, with the first Tesla vehicle driving autonomously from the factory to a customer's home scheduled for June 28. The robotaxis will operate using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and will initially be geofenced and remotely monitored to ensure safety, with only about 10 to 20 vehicles deployed at launch. Musk emphasized a strong focus on safety and acknowledged that the launch date could shift if necessary. He also expressed confidence that Tesla's robotaxi platform will compel other automakers to license Tesla's FSD software, given the challenges competitors face in achieving effective autonomous driving solutions independently. The announcement has boosted investor enthusiasm, with Tesla's stock rising and correlated positive movements seen in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Tesla's rollout represents a significant milestone in autonomous vehicle technology, although it remains limited compared to competitors like Waymo in terms of scale and operational scope.