Tesla Finally Launches Robotax Rides Without Safety Monitors
Tesla has taken a symbolic but closely watched step towards fully autonomous mobility by offering the first public rides on a robotax without safety monitors in the cabin on January 22 as part of a limited pilot project in Austin, Texas, Automotive News reports.
This event marked an important milestone that occurred several years after CEO Elon Musk predicted that more than a million such vehicles would be in operation by 2020. This move puts Tesla on a par with such well—known players in the autonomous transportation market as Waymo, which already provides fully self—driving services in several US cities, and Zoox, which operates on a smaller scale in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Tesla's management said that only a few self-driving cars are currently in use in Austin, working alongside a larger fleet that still includes safety monitors, and that the proportion of fully self-driving cars will gradually increase.
Independent observers suggest that the initial launch is limited to South Austin and covers only two or three vehicles, compared with about 100 operated by Waymo in the city through the Uber network. Tesla has not disclosed the exact number of vehicles in its fleet, continuing its policy of non-transparency regarding its autonomous driving program. Musk justifies repeated violations of deadlines, arguing that progress is ultimately more important than punctuality, and this announcement was positively received by investors: Tesla shares rose by about 3% in a day.