Tesla Claims It's Autonomous, Yet There's Always Someone Monitoring | Carscoops

      Vehicles operate autonomously, with a human supervisor occupying the front passenger seat.

      June 23, 2025, at 08:36

      by Brad Anderson

      Tesla has introduced its robotaxi service in Austin, initially available only to selected users and influencers.

      The service operates daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, charging a flat fee of $4.20.

      Early users can access rides through a specialized app and manage features via the display.

      Despite some Democratic lawmakers urging Tesla to postpone the launch of its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the program officially began on Sunday. Approximately 12 Tesla Model Y robotaxis are now active on the streets within a small, designated area. While these vehicles drive automatically, the company is cautious about how much exposure the service receives.

      Videos from initial users, predominantly influencers, show that each Robotaxi is accompanied by a "safety driver" in the passenger seat. The reason behind this decision by Tesla remains somewhat unclear, possibly to enhance the perception of a driverless experience.

      Having a person behind the wheel would clearly indicate that the system still requires oversight. Positioning them in the passenger seat maintains the image of being technically driverless, albeit not completely so.

      The first users of the service included vetted customers who received invitations for early access from Tesla. Many of these individuals are known advocates of the Tesla brand. Clearly, the electric vehicle manufacturer prefers not to open the service to the general public yet, likely aware that any errors or issues could attract significant criticism.

      A $4.20 Ride with a Side of Caution

      The initial rides are set at a distinct $4.20 flat rate, and the service is available from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, every day, unless severe weather occurs. In such cases, the robotaxis will not operate, which seems prudent considering the challenges humans face during Texas thunderstorms.

      The service functions similarly to Waymo’s. Users must download the specific Robotaxi app to request a ride. Once onboard, the vehicle’s rear display will present navigation information and the estimated time of arrival. Additionally, passengers can control audio through this rear screen.

      Overall, the system seems to perform adequately, navigating certain routes in South Austin quite smoothly. However, one video uploaded to YouTube by a TechCrunch reporter shows a Model Y Robotaxi making unnecessary stops and braking twice when passing by several parked police vehicles at a nearby crime scene.