Musk confirms Tesla Robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas by end of June
Listen to article
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company will begin testing its long-awaited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, by the end of June, with an initial fleet of around 10 vehicles.
Speaking in a CNBC interview at Tesla's headquarters in Austin, Musk said the pilot programme will mark the official debut of Tesla's fully autonomous ride-hailing service.
If successful, the service will scale rapidly, with up to 1,000 vehicles expected on the road within a few months.
'It's prudent for us to start with a small number, confirm that things are going well, and then scale it up,' Musk stated.
Tesla's robotaxi service will initially operate using Model Y vehicles equipped with the latest version of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, referred to as "FSD Unsupervised."
🚨 BREAKING: Tesla's Robotaxi service, powered by FSD Unsupervised, is set to launch on June 1st!
Just 31 days to go! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gVmJplQ0to — Teslasti Basti (@BastianBraun121) May 1, 2025
The company plans to geofence the operation — restricting movement to specific zones within Austin — while eliminating human safety drivers.
Tesla employees will remotely monitor the fleet to ensure safety and performance.
Musk said plans are in motion to expand the service to Los Angeles and San Francisco following the Austin rollout, pending a smooth initial phase.
Since 2016, Musk has pledged that Tesla was on the verge of deploying self-driving cars.
However, Tesla vehicles currently still require driver supervision and have not yet received regulatory approval for fully autonomous operation without human intervention.
Musk reiterated Tesla's distinctive approach to autonomy, relying solely on AI, cameras, and digital neural networks — unlike competitors such as Alphabet's Waymo, which employs lidar and radar-based systems.
🚨 BREAKING: Tesla's Robotaxi service, powered by FSD Unsupervised, is set to launch on June 1st!
Just 31 days to go! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gVmJplQ0to — Teslasti Basti (@BastianBraun121) May 1, 2025
'What will actually work best for the road system is artificial intelligence, digital neural nets and cameras,' he said.
Waymo currently leads the market with 250,000 paid driverless trips per week in multiple US cities.
Addressing recent challenges, including a 20% decline in Tesla's automotive revenue in Q1 2025, Musk attributed the slump to factory retooling ahead of a refreshed Model Y launch.
He claimed a strong rebound in demand is already underway.
Musk also confirmed his commitment to leading Tesla for at least the next five years, despite his growing political involvement and roles at SpaceX and AI startup xAI.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM's aide on crypto Bilal Bin Saqib meets Elon Musk's father
Minister of State for Crypto, Blockchain and CEO of the Pakistan Crypto Council Bilal Bin Saqib Listen to article Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib, held a notable meeting in New York with Errol Musk, father of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. The minister shared a photograph of the meeting on social platform X, in which Errol Musk is seen greeting him warmly. The image quickly gained attention, particularly given the growing relevance of blockchain discussions in global finance. Met Elon Musk's dad. Requested that the markets finally have great momentum - let's not mess it up! The world needs Tesla and Trump in the same group chat! 🙏 Peace and Build — Bilal bin Saqib MBE (@Bilalbinsaqib) June 6, 2025 According to Saqib, Errol Musk remarked during the meeting, 'The market has finally picked up. Let's not ruin it.' The quote was seen by observers as a subtle reference to ongoing global economic volatility and the importance of responsible innovation in tech and finance. Bilal Bin Saqib added in his post that the world desires greater alignment between powerful innovators and decision-makers. 'The world wants Tesla and Trump in the same group chat for peace and progress,' he wrote, suggesting that coordinated global dialogue is vital for technological and geopolitical stability. The meeting is being viewed as a symbolic moment as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its positioning in emerging technologies, particularly in the areas of digital assets and blockchain. Read More: Pakistan is establishing 'Strategic Bitcoin Reserve A day earlier, SAPM on Crypto and Blockchain Bilal Bin Saqib met with over a dozen key US government officials and lawmakers this week in Washington to strengthen cooperation in the areas of digital assets, blockchain regulation and financial innovation. The visit also served to share Pakistan's initiatives — including the recent announcement of its Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, efforts to build a virtual asset regulatory framework, and the use of stablecoins to improve remittances and expand financial access. The exchanges highlighted the need for closer global coordination and the role emerging markets like Pakistan can play in shaping the next chapter of the digital economy. Last week, the Ministry of Finance reported that Pakistan allocated 2,000 megawatts of electricity for Bitcoin mining and AI data centres as part of a national initiative to make Pakistan a leader in digital innovation. Read more: IMF seeks explanation on Bitcoin, AI initiatives This initiative, led by the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC), aims to use excess electricity, create high-tech jobs, and attract foreign investment. The allocation marks the first phase of a broader digital infrastructure rollout. Future developments are expected to include renewable energy-powered facilities, global partnerships with blockchain and AI firms, and the establishment of fintech and innovation hubs. On the other hand, the federal government and the central bank reiterated on Thursday that the use of cryptocurrencies was illegal and anyone dealing in these currencies was liable to be investigated by the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The statements were made by Federal Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Executive Director Sohail Jawad during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance. Read more: Crypto currencies' use is illegal, National Assembly told The development also came a day after the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on crypto and blockchain, Bilal Bin Saqib, made a pitch for the promotion of cryptocurrencies during his visit to the United States. Crypto is not a legal currency in Pakistan, said Bosal. He recommended that the committee invite the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) for further briefing. SAPM Bilal Bin Saqib is also the chief executive officer of the PCC. "The work on the crypto currencies is at a very, very preliminary stage and whenever the government decides to take it further, we would recommend to first have a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for it," Bosal said, adding that so far, there was no such framework.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Elon Musk floats idea of new US political party amid Trump rift
Highlighting that 80% of those who responded to his poll supported the idea, the Tesla CEO said in a post on Friday evening: "This is fate." PHOTO: ANADOLU Listen to article US billionaire Elon Musk floated the idea of launching a new political party this week, potentially intensifying his ongoing feud with former ally President Donald Trump. Amid his ongoing criticism of Trump, Musk posted a poll on X asking his 220 million followers whether it is "time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle." Highlighting that 80% of those who responded to his poll supported the idea, the Tesla CEO said in a post on Friday evening: "This is fate." Musk later backed a supporter's suggestion to name the new party the 'America Party,' a title similar to America PAC (Political Action Committee) he launched last year, which spent $239 million supporting Trump and other Republicans in the 2024 elections. Launching a new political party in the US is a major challenge. While Democrats, Republicans, and some established third parties already enjoy widespread ballot access, any new party aiming to compete must overcome complex, state-specific requirements to get its candidates listed. Musk also appeared to consider a post proposing to reform one of the major parties "from the inside out" rather than founding a third party, replying with "Hmm." It remains unclear how committed Musk is to the idea of leaving the Republican Party.
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump refuses Musk outreach, says he has ‘lost his mind'
US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 30, 2025. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article US President Donald Trump dismissed the idea of a reconciliation with Elon Musk on Saturday, saying the billionaire 'has lost his mind', even as Republicans called for the two to end their public feud. Asked on ABC News whether he would speak with Musk after reports of a possible phone call, Trump said: 'You mean the man who has lost his mind?' The rift between the two influential figures—both key players in Republican political and fundraising circles—has escalated in recent days, with Musk criticising Trump-backed policies and Trump responding in kind. READ: Trump, Musk feud explodes with threats of cutting contracts, backing impeachment Despite the friction, Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators expressed hope that the feud would not derail the party's legislative goals, particularly a sweeping tax and border spending bill endorsed by Trump but opposed by Musk. 'I hope it doesn't distract us from getting the job done that we need to,' said Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington state. 'I think it will boil over and they'll mend fences.' Senator Ted Cruz of Texas echoed the sentiment, telling Fox News: 'When the two of them are working together, we'll get a lot more done for America than when they're at cross purposes.' Read More: Elon Musk's net worth drops by $27b after feud with Trump: report Senator Mike Lee of Utah shared a composite photo of the two men on social media, writing: 'But… I really like both of them.' He urged his followers to support reconciliation between the pair. The White House has not confirmed any planned conversation between Trump and Musk, although a person familiar with the matter said Musk was open to dialogue while Trump was unwilling to speak 'at least on Saturday'. Conservative host Sean Hannity said the feud had 'got personal very quick' but described it as 'just a major policy difference'. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed concerns that the clash would affect legislative priorities. 'Members are not shaken at all,' Johnson said. 'We're going to pass this legislation on our deadline.' Still, Johnson urged reconciliation, calling it 'good for the party and the country if all that's worked out', before issuing a note of caution to Musk. 'Do not doubt and do not second-guess and don't ever challenge the president of the United States, Donald Trump,' he warned. 'He is the leader of the party.' Tensions between the two men have been rising since Musk publicly criticised the president's policies on immigration and government spending. The feud also coincided with volatility in Tesla's stock, further spooking investors.
