Tesla has invited a select few to participate in a limited test of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, which is tentatively scheduled to start on Sunday, based on social media posts and email screenshots.
The posts indicated that a Tesla employee will be riding in the front passenger seat with the guests.
A successful trial in Austin is really important for Tesla, especially since car buyers are turning away from the company after CEO Elon Musk has leaned into hard-right politics both in the U.S. and around the globe.
The company has transitioned from creating a more affordable EV platform to focusing on robotics and artificial intelligence. A significant portion of the company’s value is based on that gamble.
Elon Musk mentioned that he will prioritize safety during the trial, with humans overseeing the vehicles from a distance. He anticipates being able to rapidly scale the robotaxi service.
According to Musk, Tesla intends to roll out approximately 10 Model Y SUVs equipped with a version of Tesla’s full self-driving driver assistance software.
The start might be postponed, and the service could be limited or even unavailable during bad weather. Riders need to be at least 18 years old to take a ride.
However, turning autonomous vehicles into a commercial reality is a costly and risky endeavor. Tesla, along with others like Alphabet’s Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox, has encountered federal investigations and recalls after accidents.
Industry experts are raising doubts about the effectiveness of Tesla’s self-driving tech, which mainly relies on cameras and AI, lacking backup sensors like lidar and radar. They argue that conditions like fog, heavy rain, and bright sunlight could compromise safety.
On Wednesday, a bunch of Democratic lawmakers from the Austin region urged the company to postpone the launch until September, when a new state law about autonomous vehicles kicks in.
People who confirm they’re in Austin can grab Tesla’s Robotaxi app, which they use to summon a ride.
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