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Tesla Launches Invitation-Only Robotaxi Fleet in Austin

About 20 Model Y robotaxis fitted with Full Self-Driving will operate within a designated geofenced area under front-seat supervision.

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Overview

  • The pilot service goes live June 22 with each vehicle staffed by a safety monitor and limited to invited users.
  • Riders can request trips via a smartphone app between 6 a.m. and midnight within the approved geofenced zone.
  • Tesla aims to expand the service to roughly 25 U.S. cities within a year and start Cybercab robotaxi production in 2026.
  • The Full Self-Driving system has logged 3.6 billion miles of real-world driving but faces an NHTSA investigation and broad consumer skepticism, with 60% deeming it unsafe and 77% unwilling to ride without human oversight.
  • Wedbush Securities projects Tesla’s autonomous unit could contribute $1 trillion to its valuation and help lift its market cap toward $2 trillion by the end of 2026.