Tesla Begins Driverless Robotaxi Tests in Austin

Tesla's driverless robotaxi service is set to launch imminently in Austin, Texas, with CEO Elon Musk aiming for a tentative start around June 22. Videos have surfaced showing unmodified Tesla Model Y vehicles operating autonomously on Austin streets, marked with "Robotaxi" decals and accompanied by trailing vehicles with remote operators to ensure safety and address latency concerns. The initial fleet is expected to be small, with around 10 vehicles operating within geo-fenced areas and monitored remotely by Tesla employees, with plans to expand to thousands if the rollout proves successful. Tesla's approach to autonomy relies heavily on camera-based AI and neural networks, differing from competitors like Waymo that use lidar and extensive pre-mapping. Despite enthusiasm from Musk, safety concerns have been raised by local groups protesting the deployment, citing incidents of the technology failing to properly respond to hazards. Tesla's robotaxi launch in Austin represents a significant step in the company's push to commercialize full self-driving technology and compete in the growing autonomous ride-hailing market.