Finally, Tesla’s Robotaxi service has begun, with passengers getting their first rides beginning on Sunday, June 22. Arriving barely later than the anticipated June 12 launch date reported final month, that is however a groundbreaking second for a corporation that has lengthy been mired in Full Self Driving controversy.
The electrical carmaker kicked off the service at its house in Austin, Texas, limiting it to a choose few house owners who acquired early entry invitations; these individuals have been vetted beforehand and, as TechCrunch reported, have been among the many model’s most ardent followers. Every journey prices a flat price of – you guessed it, since that is Elon Musk we’re speaking about – US$4.20 (RM18).
customers might want to obtain a separate Robotaxi app to rent a “cab” – the fleet at the moment consists of ten facelifted Mannequin Ys, up to date with the newest self-driving software program and coming with Robotaxi stickers. As soon as inside, they’ll begin the journey utilizing the automotive’s built-in rear touchscreen, the place they’ll additionally regulate the air-con and seating place and even stream their very own music.
— Tesla (@Tesla) June 22, 2025
After all, this being Tesla, there are a couple of caveats. For one, the “unsupervised” time period beforehand used was huge off the mark, as each Robotaxi comes with a Tesla “security driver” within the passenger seat that is able to cease the automotive in case issues go awry. That is empathically not the case with the opposite driverless taxi service within the US, Waymo.
Passengers are additionally not allowed to sit down on the motive force’s seat – it’s the rear bench or nothing, sadly. What’s extra, these driving within the automotive should be 18 or older, and the service can be restricted to a small geofenced space of the state capital.
For what it’s value, video posted by these fortunate sufficient to journey within the Robotaxi confirmed the system functioning fairly effectively, often higher than Waymo, though one automotive did get confused by police automobiles at a criminal offense scene and stopped twice as if being pulled over.
Ultimately, the Mannequin Y Robotaxis might be changed by the specially-designed Cybercab – a two-door, two-seater coupé with scissor doorways and no steering wheel or pedals. That automotive is being focused to enter manufacturing 2026 with a worth of lower than US$30,000 (RM127,200), though provided that that is Tesla we’re speaking about, we are able to take each with a heavy pinch of salt.
GALLERY: Tesla Cybercab
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