Tesla is gearing up to unveil its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, scheduled for a launch on June 12, 2025. This new service will employ Tesla's autonomous ride-hailing technology, backed by the company's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software that operates without supervision. According to Car and Driver, this development marks a significant step in autonomous vehicle services, promising to transform urban transit methods.
In preparation for the launch, Tesla has been conducting supervised trials in both Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, logging over 1,500 trips and totaling 15,000 miles driven with employee participation. These efforts align with Tesla's regulatory compliance pursuits, as the company engages with Austin's Autonomous Vehicle Task Force to ensure all necessary standards are met. Reuters noted that Tesla is simultaneously responding to inquiries from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding safety and operational plans for their robotaxi service.
Initially, the service is set to operate with Tesla-owned vehicles before expanding the fleet by involving private car owners in 2026. This strategy aligns with Tesla's broader market expansion plans which aim to roll out similar services in other U.S. cities by the end of 2025. The Daily Texan reported that such initiatives illustrate Tesla's ambitions to scale up their autonomous vehicle operations while meeting all safety and regulatory requirements.