Tesla to Launch Public Robotaxi Rides in Austin Starting June 22: Musk
Austin : Tesla is poised to take a major step forward in its autonomous driving ambitions, with CEO Elon Musk announcing plans to begin offering public rides in its self-driving robotaxis starting June 22, in Austin, Texas. The highly anticipated rollout could mark a turning point for the electric vehicle maker, which has staked much of its future on autonomous vehicle (AV) technology.
“We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk said in a post on social media platform X, underscoring the cautious approach Tesla says it is taking in launching the service. The initial fleet will reportedly include 10–20 Model Y SUVs, operating in a limited area under remote human supervision.
The robotaxi launch, if successful, could reinvigorate Tesla’s position in the EV market, which has faced headwinds from increased competition and recent public criticism over Musk’s political leanings and associations. The billionaire CEO recently distanced himself from former U.S. President Donald Trump following a high-profile falling-out, which followed reports of Musk’s informal advisory role.
Tesla’s pivot away from developing a more affordable EV model toward focusing on autonomous technology represents a strategic gamble. Much of the company’s valuation is now tied to its self-driving vision, even as commercial deployment of AVs remains fraught with regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, and steep development costs.
Musk also revealed that beginning June 28, Tesla vehicles will be able to self-drive from the end of the production line directly to a customer’s home, another feature that underscores the company’s confidence in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
Earlier on Tuesday, Musk reposted a video of a driverless Model Y navigating an Austin intersection with the word “Robotaxi” emblazoned on its side, followed by another Tesla vehicle. Both were reportedly running the latest version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.
Despite the buzz, many details remain unclear—how the public can access the service, where precisely it will operate, and the scope of remote supervision. Tesla also plans to expand robotaxi services to other U.S. states later in the year, including California, which has some of the nation’s strictest AV regulations.
“Austin >> LA for robotaxi launch lol,” Musk quipped on X, referencing Los Angeles while reaffirming Austin as Tesla’s primary testbed for the rollout.
Industry experts and regulators will be watching closely, as the success ; or failure ; of the robotaxi launch could define the next chapter of Tesla’s future in the increasingly competitive EV and autonomous mobility space.
