Tesla Robotaxi will launch in Austin in June

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Tesla confirms its robotaxi service will launch in Austin this June, with employee testing already underway and 1,500 trips completed.

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The initial fleet will feature just 10-20 driverless Model Y vehicles operating within specific city boundaries.

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Tesla's ride-hailing feature will be integrated directly into its existing app rather than requiring a separate download.

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Unlike competitors who use LiDAR and radar, Tesla's autonomous system relies solely on cameras and neural networks trained on real-world driving data.

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The futuristic Cybercab, a purpose-built robotaxi without steering wheel or pedals, is scheduled to enter volume production in 2026.

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Elon Musk boldly predicts "millions of Teslas operating fully autonomously" by the second half of 2026.

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Tesla's push into robotaxis comes as traditional vehicle sales dropped 13% in Q1 2025, increasing pressure to develop new revenue streams.

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Regulatory hurdles remain a challenge, with Tesla securing preliminary permits in California but still needing several more before launching paid robotaxi services there.

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Financial analysts remain divided, with some confident in Tesla's technology readiness while others question the aggressive profitability timeline.

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