Tesla’s Robotaxi Set to Launch in June, but It’s Not the Future We Anticipated | Carscoops

      The robotaxi fleet is set to operate on public roads in Austin, Texas, akin to Tesla's current ridesharing service.

      14 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Tesla's robotaxi service is set to debut next month, but access will be limited to a chosen few.

      The fleet will consist of only 10-20 vehicles, and rides will be available solely to an invite-only list of users.

      Teleoperators will oversee the robotaxis to ensure safety, but this pilot phase still carries risks.

      Tesla has been claiming the arrival of fully autonomous robotaxis for what seems like ages, and now they’re stating that the launch is just around the corner next month. At least, that's the intention according to Tesla, with a "bullish" analyst providing some new insights.

      More: Tesla’s Robotaxi And Cybercab Might Require New Names

      However, the fleet will not be the expansive array of robo-cabs that many were anticipating. Instead, it will feature fewer than twenty vehicles, available only to an exclusive group of users. So, if you’re invited, be prepared to line up.

      This update comes from Morgan Stanley Analyst Adam Jonas, who recently met with Tesla to discuss progress. Tesla has consistently claimed that its Robotaxi service would launch in June of this year.

      The Fleet's Size is Less Impressive Than Expected

      Jonas notes that “Austin’s a ‘go’ but the fleet size will be low. Think 10 to 20 cars. Public roads. Invite only. Plenty of tele-ops to ensure safety levels (‘we can’t screw up’). Still waiting for a date.” This certainly doesn’t align with the grand expectations many had for Tesla. At the same time, it reiterates some previously known information. Let’s delve deeper.

      Firstly, the affirmation that everything is still on track suggests Tesla remains on schedule, which is positive. The small fleet size, however, is quite surprising. Even at 20 cars max, it seems it will take considerable time to gather enough data to scale the program swiftly. Tesla has frequently hinted at operating on public roads, so that’s not unexpected; however, limiting access to an invite-only model is intriguing.

      This might merely be an initial phase of the project, allowing the brand to mitigate bad publicity should any issues arise. Of course, Jonas reaffirms that Tesla will have teleoperators monitoring cars and ready to intervene if necessary. The practical application of this remains to be seen, though.

      A Dose of Reality

      To be fair, this new service doesn't seem significantly different from Tesla's current operations in Austin and San Francisco, where ridesharing apps are available for select employees. In those cities, users can request a Tesla that arrives to take them to their destination, backed by the reassurance of a human driver present in case of emergencies.

      The new Robotaxi service in Austin appears similar, with a human operator remotely engaged. A notable aspect is Tesla’s Ground Truth Machine technology, which is actively mapping Austin using lidar and radar sensors.

      Optimus News

      Jonas also mentions that further information regarding Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, is expected later this year. If everything goes as planned, investors will have the chance to tour the robot manufacturing facility in the final quarter of 2025. The company is reportedly aiming for a price point of $20,000 for Optimus. That's a significant sum, but undoubtedly some affluent individuals won't hesitate to make the purchase.