Tesla Quietly Launches Paid Robotaxi Service in Austin, Taking First Step Toward Autonomous Ride-Hailing

Tesla has taken a significant step toward its long-promised autonomous future by launching a pilot robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The company has deployed a small fleet of driverless Model Y vehicles, each accompanied by a human monitor in the front seat, to operate within a limited area near South Congress. Riders are being charged a flat fare of $4.20 per trip, and the rollout appears to be targeting social media influencers and select Tesla enthusiasts.

- Reuters, June 23

While Tesla CEO Elon Musk celebrated the move as the result of “a decade of hard work,” the pilot remains a cautious foray. The vehicles avoid complex intersections, inclement weather, and unaccompanied minors, and are remotely supervised to ensure safety. The system also remains heavily geofenced and is not yet scalable beyond the test zone. What sets Tesla apart from competitors like Waymo and Zoox