Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch in Austin: What’s Known So Far

Tesla plans to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, by early June 2025. The rollout will begin small but is expected to grow fast. Here’s a breakdown of what’s confirmed and what concerns are coming up.

Tesla will start the service with 10 Model Y vehicles. These cars will operate without a driver, but only in selected low-risk areas. The company says it wants to scale up to 1,000 vehicles in the months after launch. The system runs on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, which is built to handle driving without human help.

Testing status

Before launch, Tesla has been testing with employees. The company logged 15,000 miles and completed 1,500 trips. Most tests took place in Austin and San Francisco. But during all of those trips, a human was in the driver’s seat. There haven’t been reports of fully driverless tests yet, and that’s raising doubts about how ready the system is.

Safety and oversight

To lower the risk, Tesla will limit the service to neighborhoods it believes are safer. The company will also use teleoperation. That means if a robotaxi needs help, a remote operator can take over. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reviewing Tesla’s data. It wants to know how FSD deals with tough weather. Tesla doesn’t need NHTSA approval to launch, but the agency is watching closely.

Musk’s position

Elon Musk has said the service is still set to launch in June. In a recent CNBC interview, he said, “We’re on track to launch robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, by June end.” Musk has pointed to teleoperation and other safety tools to support the launch. He says the tech is ready.

Skepticism and risk

Not everyone agrees. Tesla has missed self-driving targets before, and some experts aren’t sure this time will be different. A Forbes article called the launch risky, mainly because of Tesla’s safety history. Some investors share that concern. Morgan Stanley analysts are optimistic, but others say Tesla’s stock could take a hit if this doesn’t go well.

Trademark trouble

Tesla is also dealing with a naming issue. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said the names “Robotaxi” and “Cybercab” are too generic. That won’t stop the service from starting, but it’s one more thing the company has to sort out.

Tesla says the Austin launch is the start of something bigger. But with no public driverless testing, safety concerns, and trademark problems, there’s a lot riding on how this first step goes.