Tesla launches robotaxi, but so far it’s limited
Tesla is finally ready to launch its robotaxi service, which has been promised over the past few years. However, the project will be very limited in its initial phase. According to Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, only 10-20 autonomous vehicles will be operational in Austin, Texas, and only invited customers will be able to use them.
Jonas noted:
“Austin is ‘ready,’ but the fleet will be small. Around 10-20 cars. Public roads. Invitation only. Many remote operators to ensure safety (‘we can’t afford mistakes’). The date has not yet been announced.”
Technologies and prospects
Although the project’s scale is modest for now, the very fact of its launch is an important step for Tesla. The company is using Ground Truth Machine technology for detailed city mapping with lidar and radar. This is expected to form the basis for future expansion of the service.
In addition to robotaxis, Tesla plans to present updates on its humanoid robot Optimus by the end of 2025. The company aims to set the price at $20,000 per unit, which could attract early adopters of innovation.
Despite the limited start, this project demonstrates that Tesla continues to invest in autonomous technologies. The success of the pilot program in Austin could lay the groundwork for larger-scale deployment in other cities in the future. At the same time, the cautious approach with invited users will help avoid negative backlash in case of technical issues.