Tesla Model Y without a human driver is being recorded in Austin
In a groundbreaking move, Tesla has officially launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 22, 2025. The launch marks the beginning of a self-driving fleet of Model Y vehicles operating within a defined geofence.
The autonomous debut of Tesla in Austin was preceded by several sightings of a Model Y driving itself in the city, starting from June 14. The driver's seat was empty, while a person was seated in the passenger seat with a laptop, supervising the autonomous vehicle.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, announced that a Model Y would drive itself directly from the factory to a customer's house for the first time on June 28, a significant milestone in autonomous vehicle technology. Musk also praised the "beautifully simple design" of the autonomous Model Y.
However, the launch of Tesla's robotaxi service was not without its challenges. Safety issues, including instances of vehicles driving on the wrong side of the road, have been reported, prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). City officials in Austin have been working with autonomous vehicle companies to provide information on the city's transportation network to help improve safety.
Initially, Tesla's robotaxis in Austin were operating with supervisors in the passenger seats, though they utilize the FSD Unsupervised software. The company plans to closely monitor its first robotaxis by distance and intervene if necessary. The new software version for the Austin robotaxis is being refined, with the latest customer version still making frequent critical errors, according to a private tracker.
Tesla has been added to a list of companies operating autonomous vehicles in Austin, joining Google's Waymo and four others. The initial test of the Austin robotaxis will begin with a maximum of 20 Model Y vehicles, which will avoid some challenging intersections for safety reasons.
Looking ahead, Tesla continues to refine its autonomous technology, with ongoing operations and testing in Austin. The company is expected to address safety concerns and regulatory issues as it expands its robotaxi service. The ultimate goal is to establish a fully autonomous ride-hailing network, though specific timelines may be influenced by regulatory approvals and technological advancements.
Musk noted that every newly produced Tesla is capable of unsupervised autonomous driving. The Austin robotaxi pilot represents a crucial step towards achieving Musk's vision of a robotaxi network. However, safety and regulatory challenges must be addressed before widespread adoption can occur. The autonomy test for the Model Y in Austin is not the only autonomous plan in the US, but the specifics of other companies' plans are not detailed.
The autonomous launch of Tesla's robotaxis in Austin prompted collaborations with city officials to provide transportation network information, aiming to improve vehicle safety within the transportation industry. In the finance sector, Tesla's commitment to addressing safety concerns and regulatory issues is crucial for the growth and expansion of their autonomous technology, ultimately leading to a fully autonomous ride-hailing network powered by technology.
