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Tesla Robotaxis Hit Austin Streets Unsupervised
23 Jan
Summary
- Tesla is now offering unsupervised robotaxi rides in Austin.
- The company plans to increase the number of driverless vehicles.
- Tesla's stock rose after the announcement of the unsupervised rides.
Tesla Inc. has commenced offering unsupervised robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas. This significant development was announced by CEO Elon Musk, who shared a video showcasing the technology. Initially, a small number of vehicles in the Robotaxi fleet will operate without human supervisors, a ratio that is expected to increase over time.
This advancement in AI and autonomous driving comes as Tesla faces challenges with declining vehicle sales. While the driverless rides are a boost for sentiment regarding its driving system, the company has previously reported to regulators that its small fleet in Austin was involved in eight crashes over a six-month period last year. The news of the unsupervised rides led to a stock increase for Tesla, while competitors Uber and Lyft saw their shares drop.
Musk had previously predicted unsupervised rides by the end of 2025. Austin is the sole city currently hosting Tesla's robotaxi service. The company has not yet sought permits for driverless testing in California, positioning it behind competitors like Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo, which has been offering fully driverless rides in multiple cities since 2018.
