Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently told investors that the automaker would launch its first paid robotaxi service this summer in Austin. Starting in June, the somewhat-autonomous taxis will offer rides in Texas’ capital city.
In typical fashion, Musk made big promises, but he also acknowledged that the company hadn’t delivered on previous announcements. He also noted that Tesla vehicles already move autonomously around its Fremont, CA factory, where they drive themselves off the factory floor to storage lots on the campus.
Musk said Tesla would expand the robotaxi network to other U.S. cities following the Austin tests. California could see the first vehicles on its streets by the end of 2025. Internationally, Tesla plans to expand into Europe and China as soon as next year, where regulations are considerably tighter.
While Musk and Tesla have teased a unique rear window-free vehicle for the robotaxi effort, the automaker believes that existing vehicles could handle some of the volume. That will be the case in Austin this year, as Tesla won’t start producing the actual robotaxis until 2026.
The robotaxi announcement helped buoy Tesla stock after disappointing fourth-quarter numbers. Despite the company’s net income falling late last year, the stock climbed three percent late yesterday on the news that Tesla would push forward into Austin with its robotaxis.
[Images: Tesla]
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