Tesla’s Driverless Robotaxi Rolls Out in Austin, Starting with Influencers

Tesla’s Robotaxi service has begun a trial period in Austin, Texas, with social media influencers as the initial users. These individuals are getting a first look at the driverless ride experience before it’s opened up to the general public. Each ride is priced at ₹365, or $4.20, as confirmed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who described the launch as the result of a decade of effort. Video footage reveals Tesla vehicles driving without a human driver, operating within specific areas of Austin and restricted to the hours of 6 AM to midnight, depending on the weather. The Robotaxi’s software and AI chip were entirely developed by Tesla. The pilot program includes approximately 10 vehicles, mainly Model Y SUVs, with safety riders present. Influencer Sawyer Merritt posted about his ride, noting its smoothness and comfort. The booking process is managed via a Tesla Robotaxi app. A new Texas law could complicate expansion plans, requiring self-driving vehicle operators to obtain permits from the state and potentially face permit revocation if authorities deem them a public risk. Tesla faces competition from Waymo (in partnership with Uber) and Amazon’s Zoox in Austin. For now, the Robotaxi service is live, but only for a select group.