Tesla’s Robotaxi service has hit the streets in Austin: How it’s all going?

After years of anticipation, Tesla has quietly launched a limited version of its robotaxi service in Austin. This marks the company's most tangible step yet toward a self-driving future. But while CEO Elon Musk has long promised that autonomous vehicles would revolutionize transportation and generate passive income for car owners, the reality, for now, is far more cautious.

The pilot fleet consists of just 10 to 20 vehicles, confined to a small, geofenced area in Austin. Each car includes a safety monitor in the passenger seat and is backed by a team of remote teleoperators ready to intervene if necessary. The robotaxis also avoid driving in poor weather, and are taken offline between midnight and 6 a.m.

Riders can summon the service using the Tesla app, paying a flat $4.20 fare - trust Musk to make a joke on serious matters.

Initial reviews

Early user reports have been mixed: some Tesla fans, like investor Sawyer Merritt, praised the experience after logging 92 miles in 36 hours without any issues. “All my rides were smooth and comfortable,” Merritt posted on X.

But not all trips have been so uneventful. Videos shared online showed some missteps, including one robotaxi briefly driving on the wrong side of the road, and another braking abruptly after mistaking the shadow of a tree for an obstacle.

These incidents have prompted scrutiny from U.S. regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed it is reviewing the footage and is “in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.”

Long-term vision, short-term caution

The limited rollout in Austin marks a significant milestone for Tesla's self-driving aspirations, a vision Elon Musk has long championed as central to the company's future. However, the current limitations, the requirement for human safety monitors, and the early reports of minor miscalculations suggest that Tesla's robotaxi technology remains some distance from widespread, fully autonomous adoption.

The performance and safety of these early vehicles will be closely watched by regulators, competitors, and the public as Tesla navigates its ambitious path into the autonomous ride-hailing market.