by Tesla Launches Robotaxi with Limitations
On June 22, Tesla will begin testing its Robotaxi service for a limited group of customers. Program participants have received information about the rules of use, including the mandatory presence of a company employee in each car for safety control. The service will only be available in a designated area of Austin, Texas, from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM local time.
Among the requirements for users are confirmation of the service terms, having a payment card, and a prohibition on consuming alcohol or drugs in the cabin. Transporting weapons or hazardous materials is also prohibited. Tesla reserves the right to suspend access to Robotaxi in case of rule violations.
Tesla has given me permission to share the parameters of use for their Model Y Robotaxi service, starting this Sunday June 22nd in Austin, Texas. The Early Access phase is invitation-only.
Limitations and Prospects
Despite Elon Musk’s statements about achieving Level 5 autonomy, the service is currently operating in a test mode with human supervision. This raises questions about the real capabilities of the technology, especially considering limitations on time, weather, and geolocation.
However, the very fact of the Robotaxi launch is an important step for the autonomous transportation market. The success of the initiative will depend on the safety and stability of the system’s operation, which we will learn about in the coming days.
Observations of test rides show that autonomous Teslas in Austin no longer cause as much excitement as before. This may indicate that the technology is gradually becoming part of everyday life, although large-scale implementation is still ahead.
