After a Decade, Tesla's Robotaxi Finally Launches! Musk: Just $4.20 per Ride
Elon Musk finally delivers on his promise!
Last week, Tesla officially launched its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas, after years of anticipation. Musk shared a congratulatory post on X, revealing that the initial fare for the service is fixed at $4.20, with an option for tips. The service currently uses a small fleet of about 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles, operating within a defined geographic boundary that excludes highways and airports. The service runs daily from 6 am to midnight, with some initial operational hiccups such as delayed app notifications and unclear pick-up points. Despite these issues, user feedback indicates rides are smooth and comparable to traditional ride-hailing apps, with some noting the presence of safety monitors and remote operators. Tesla plans to expand the fleet to over a thousand vehicles within a few months and aims to extend coverage to California and other regions. The company is also working on improving user verification and reducing human oversight. Meanwhile, competitors like Waymo already operate in multiple cities with larger fleets. The future of Tesla's Robotaxi will depend on regulatory approvals, safety performance, and user acceptance, with many industry observers eager to see how the company progresses.
Comments from users and industry insiders are mixed, with some praising the smoothness of the rides and others pointing out ongoing issues like slow app responses and unclear pick-up locations. Tesla's approach includes onboard safety personnel and remote support, with plans to implement more advanced verification systems similar to Waymo's app-based unlocking. Tesla's new Robotaxi webpage provides rules and registration options for users. Despite the early stage, the company is optimistic about scaling up and expanding to more cities, aiming to create a comprehensive autonomous ride-hailing network. The industry remains cautious but intrigued by Tesla's progress, with many watching to see if the company can overcome technical and regulatory hurdles to lead the autonomous vehicle market.
