Tesla is gradually revealing details about its upcoming robotaxi service, set to launch in Austin, Texas, in the coming weeks. However, much remains unclear, especially considering the potential implications.
Bloomberg reports that June 12th is a tentative launch date for the robotaxi service, though this could change. Tesla has not confirmed this date publicly nor stated who will be permitted to use the service.
This announcement follows comments from CEO Elon Musk, who indicated that the company is now testing vehicles without safety drivers in a public environment. He mentioned on social media that Tesla has been operating self-driving Model Y cars on Austin streets without any incidents, reportedly a month ahead of schedule, and hinted at an imminent delivery from factory to customer.
However, it’s important to temper enthusiasm about this achievement, as there is still a lack of information about the service’s functionality. Tesla has not demonstrated its vehicles’ ability to navigate completely driverless on public roads, outside of controlled settings within its factories. These environments do not mimic the complexity of city streets populated with pedestrians, cyclists, and other potential hazards.
Tesla plans to commence operations with 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles. These might differ from the regular Model Ys sold to consumers, as Tesla’s VP of Autopilot and AI software, Ashok Elluswamy, mentioned that they would have specialized audio inputs to detect emergency vehicle sirens.
Additionally, the vehicles are expected to be operated remotely, with operators monitoring them via embedded cameras and prepared to intervene if necessary. However, this information comes from a Morgan Stanley analyst and has not been officially confirmed by Tesla. The initial rollout of the service will reportedly be invite-only, suggesting that access may be limited to Tesla investors, influencers, or those within Musk’s inner circle.
Tesla’s launch strategy diverges significantly from typical approaches taken by other robotaxi companies. For instance, Waymo, which operates the only publicly available robotaxi service in the U.S., conducts extensive testing for weeks or even months before making its vehicles available to the public. Furthermore, Waymo often allows a select group of people, usually from a waitlist, to ride in its vehicles once they’re ready.
Before launching its services, Waymo gathers data by driving manually throughout a city, analyzing local driving patterns. This information aids in developing its automated driving systems, and Waymo shares its safety protocols openly. In contrast, Tesla has been relatively quiet about its safety measures, relying primarily on the optimistic claims made by Musk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has raised several questions regarding Tesla’s service, including vehicle numbers, performance in adverse weather, and access timelines for Tesla owners to the anticipated driverless technology.
Another concern for regulators is Tesla’s reliance on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature for the robotaxi service. The earlier Autopilot system has been linked to numerous incidents, including fatalities, with investigations ongoing.
For public acceptance of self-driving technology, trust is a crucial element—trust in the safety and reliability of vehicles without a visible operator. Public sentiment towards autonomous vehicles has generally declined over recent years, with growing skepticism reflecting in various opinion polls.
Moreover, Tesla’s reputation has suffered under Musk’s leadership and his controversial political associations. This has resulted in a notable drop in the company’s ranking, with a recent survey placing it at 95th in brand reputation, a stark decline from an earlier position of 8th.
While Tesla maintains a loyal fan base, the success of its robotaxi venture will depend on more solid foundations than mere enthusiasm. There is still much we do not know about this forthcoming service.
