Elon Musk just announced that Tesla plans to roll out self-driving taxis in Austin, Texas, by June 2025. This is a big step for the company as it moves beyond just making cars.
The Tesla Cybercab has mainly been tested inside Tesla’s factory, running short routes of about 1.2 miles. Right now, thousands of these self-driving cars are reportedly operating without supervision in Tesla’s Fremont, California, factory. The company plans to introduce them in more locations soon.
“We want to start small, make sure everything is safe, and then expand step by step,” Musk said in an earnings call, emphasizing that safety is the top priority.
One of the most surprising things about Tesla’s robotaxis—similar to Waymo’s—is that they don’t have a steering wheel, not even as a backup. At a Tesla event last year, Musk showcased fully autonomous cars with no accelerator or brake pedals. It’s unclear if the Cybercabs launching in Austin will follow the same design.
Tesla also plans to let owners rent out their cars for the Cybercab service, creating a shared network of autonomous vehicles.
That said, it’s hard to say if the timeline will hold. Musk has a history of making big promises that don’t always come true on schedule. While Tesla has achieved groundbreaking innovations, it’s wise to take these announcements with a bit of skepticism.
