Tesla’s robotaxi service appears slated to kick off as scheduled, at least according to Elon Musk. On Tuesday, the CEO shared on X that the launch is “tentatively” slated for June 22 in Austin, Texas.
“We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift,” Musk noted. He added that the first self-driving trip from the Tesla factory to a customer’s house is scheduled for June 28.
Tentatively, June 22.
We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.
First Tesla that drives itself from factory end of line all the way to a customer house is June 28.— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025
On Tuesday, Musk also reposted a video of a Tesla Model Y driving without anyone behind the wheel in Austin. The short clip shows the vehicle at an intersection, waiting for pedestrians to cross the road before making a left turn.
In October, Tesla unveiled a custom-built robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals, which dubbed the Cybercab. Musk said the car would cost “below $30,000,” and production would kick off “before 2027.” He also said the process of rolling out fully autonomous, unsupervised driving would start in 2025 with the Tesla Model 3 and Model and in Texas and California, before the robotaxi’s eventual rollout.
Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi, also called a Cybercab, is slated to begin production”before 2027,” according to Elon Musk.
In the following months, Musk maintained that Tesla’s robotaxi service would debut in June in Austin. It began testing the service with Tesla employees in the San Francisco Bay Area with a safety driver on board. In May, Musk posted on X that “For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in driver’s seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents.”
The robotaxi service in Austin will reportedly start small, with about 10 to 20 vehicles, and the initial operation zone will only be a few square miles, according to Bloomberg. Texas’ minimal rules surrounding driverless vehicles can make it an alluring location to launch a robotaxi service.
If Tesla’s robotaxi service does kick off this month in Austin, it’ll share the city’s roads with other self-driving companies like Waymo and Zoox. Alphabet-owned Waymo operates driverless rides there through a partnership with Uberwhile Amazon-owned Zexx‘s test fleet is also roaming the city.
Watch this: Tesla Cybercab: A Robotaxi of Your Own for Under $30k
Tesla Robotaxi Launch in Austin: An Expert’s Take on the Future of Self-Driving Cars
Tesla’s robotaxi service is generating significant buzz, with a “tentative” launch date set for June 22 in Austin, Texas. To delve deeper into the implications of this launch, we spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading expert in autonomous vehicle technology. Dr. Sharma shared her insights on safety, competition, and the future of transportation.
Time.news: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. Elon Musk has announced a tentative launch date of June 22 for Tesla’s robotaxi service in Austin. What are your initial thoughts on this proclamation?
Dr. Anya Sharma: It’s a significant step forward for tesla and the autonomous vehicle industry. Announcing the robotaxi service in Austin really puts Tesla directly into competition with other driverless services [[[1]]. Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars in Austin, without anyone in the driver’s seat, which is a bold move [[[3]]. It signals a readiness to move beyond supervised testing. However, as Musk himself noted, safety remains the paramount concern, and the date is subject to change.
Time.news: Safety is a key concern. How safe are we to expect these robotaxis to be right out of the gate, and what are the potential risks?
Dr. Anya Sharma: Safety is always the primary factor, and it is good to see that Elon Musk stated, “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date coudl shift” [[[2]]. While Tesla has made strides in autonomous driving, real-world conditions are unpredictable.Inclement weather, unexpected pedestrian behavior, and complex traffic scenarios can challenge even the most complex systems. The fact that a trailing car with a driver has been spotted in Austin following a Tesla robotaxi indicates that there are still some safety measures in place [[[3]]. Continuous monitoring, data collection, and over-the-air software updates will be crucial for refining the system and mitigating risks but there are still potential risks.
Time.news: Austin already has other autonomous vehicle services like Waymo and Zoox operating. How will Tesla differentiate itself in this competitive landscape?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The autonomous vehicle market in Austin is rapidly developing, and Tesla is entering a competitive area. Tesla has a significant advantage with its existing customer base and brand recognition. If thay can deliver a reliable and affordable robotaxi service,they could quickly gain market share. Tesla could leverage its full self-driving (FSD) technology and potentially offer a more integrated user experience within the tesla ecosystem. The cybercab concept, a custom-built robotaxi without steering wheel or pedals, is also something unique to Tesla [[[1]].
time.news: What does the future hold for Tesla’s robotaxi service?
Dr. Anya Sharma: The initial rollout in Austin, with only 10 to 20 vehicles in a limited area, suggests a cautious approach. However, if prosperous, Tesla will be looking to scale rapidly. The long-term vision includes a purpose-built robotaxi, the ‘Cybercab’, slated for production before 2027. The company hopes that robotaxi services will be available in Texas and California as early as 2025.It is important to consider that these launches are tentative, and could shift due to regulation and safety measures.
Time.news: For our readers considering using a tesla robotaxi in Austin, what advice would you give them?
Dr. Anya Sharma: As with any new technology, a degree of caution is warranted. Stay informed about the service’s safety record, operational zone, and any user guidelines provided by Tesla. Be prepared for potential delays or disruptions as the service is refined. And report any issues or concerns you experience – your feedback can definitely help improve the system for everyone.
Time.news: Dr.Sharma, thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Dr. Anya Sharma: My pleasure. The evolution of self-driving technology is an exciting journey, and one we should all follow closely.
