Home / Business and Economy / Tesla Pivots to Chauffeur Service, Delays Robotaxi Launch
Tesla Pivots to Chauffeur Service, Delays Robotaxi Launch
25 Jul
Summary
- Tesla plans to offer a chauffeur-style service with human drivers in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Tesla does not have the required permits to operate an autonomous robotaxi service in the region
- Tesla may use its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature, which requires a human driver to be ready to take over
In a recent development, Tesla has revealed plans to offer a chauffeur-style service operated by human drivers in the San Francisco Bay Area. This announcement comes in contrast to a previous media report that the electric vehicle maker would launch a robotaxi service in the region.
According to a California regulator, Tesla does not have the required permits to operate an autonomous vehicle service and has not applied for them. Instead, the company plans to use its existing permit to transport "friends and family of employees" and "select members of the public" in traditional vehicles with human drivers.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk had earlier stated that the company was "getting the regulatory permission to launch" robotaxis in several markets, including the San Francisco Bay Area. However, the company's self-driving efforts lead, Ashok Elluswamy, clarified that the initial service would have a human safety driver in the front seat, while the company waits for regulatory approval.
Last month, Tesla launched a trial robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, using a dozen Model Y SUVs with human safety monitors in the front passenger seat. For the upcoming Bay Area service, Tesla may utilize its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) feature, which requires a human driver to be ready to take control at all times.
