Latest news with #Austinites
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla reportedly targets June 12 robotaxi service launch as testing gets started in Austin
Austinites may soon be able to hop in a Tesla robotaxi, as Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker targets a possible June 12 launch and has already started testing its driverless Model Y vehicles in the city. Musk posted on his social media site X on Thursday, saying Tesla has already started testing self-driving Model Y cars in Austin over the past several days. The company previously promised a June start date for testing. Musk announced initial plans to bring a paid raid-hailing service, powered by Tesla's robotaxis, to Austin this year. That date appears to be sooner rather than later, as Bloomberg reported that the Austin-based automaker is prepping for a June 12 robotaxi launch, although the date could change. Some reports earlier this month indicated that Tesla had not started testing without drivers as of mid-May. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wrote in a May 8 letter to Tesla that the agency, "would like to gather additional information about Tesla's development of technologies for use in 'robotaxi' vehicles to understand how Tesla plans to evaluate its vehicles and driving automation technologies for use on public roads." This data is key for public safety and for approval from NHTSA. The Model Y robotaxi vehicles are the same as those sold to the public. Tesla has faced significant delays with the production of a newer, more affordable version. Neither Tesla nor Musk has provided explicit details about how Tesla's rideshare service will operate. Musk unveiled the self-driving Cybercab robotaxi models last October at his company's "We, Robot" event. The two-door models feature no steering wheels, gas pedals, or brake pedals. At the event, Musk claimed the fully autonomous vehicles would be "10 times safer than a human." The tech billionaire first teased the robotaxi in 2019 and has claimed since 2016 that Tesla is about a year away from delivering a self-driving car. Musk's company will not be the first autonomous raid-hailing service in Austin. In partnership with Uber, Waymo launched across Austin ahead of this year's South by Southwest Conference and Festival. The signature differences between Waymo and Tesla's self-driving vehicles is that Musk's company relies majorly on camera sensors, whereas, Waymo's vehicles rely on lidar, radar and camera sensors for guidance. Tesla's June target for a robotaxi launch aligns with its CEO's renewed focus on his businesses. Musk, who has served as the head of the federal government's Department of Government Efficiency since President Donald Trump took office, announced this week that he is officially walking away from Washington. His role with DOGE, which was always meant to be temporary, abruptly came to an end this week. Tesla has faced a substantial decline in sales this year, with profits in the first quarter of 2025 falling 71% compared to the same period last year. The company also recently recorded its fourth consecutive month of slumped European sales, even though electric vehicle adoption rates are up. In Tesla's April earnings call, Musk said he'd be spending more time at his companies in the coming months, but that has since shifted to completely leaving politics behind. Ahead of his aerospace company SpaceX's launch on Tuesday, he told a journalist that he spent "too much time" on politics this year. Musk's move back to work also comes just after Tesla investors, who collectively own about 7.9 million shares in the company, penned a letter to the company's board chair demanding that Musk return to a 40-hour work week at the company. 'Tesla's stock price volatility, declining sales, as well as disconcerting reports regarding the company's human rights practices, and a plummeting global reputation are cause for serious concern,' the letter stated. 'Moreover, many issues are linked to Mr. Musk's actions outside of his role as Technoking and Chief Executive Officer at Tesla, including his high-profile role as an architect of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).' This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Tesla's self-driving cars are testing in Austin as company aims June robotaxi service launch
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Austin ends plan to close Barton Springs early, but tough conversations about services loom
Good news for Austin's night owls and moon howlers. Proposed changes to Barton Springs Pool's evening hours, which would have closed the iconic swimming hole at 9 p.m., are no longer happening. This means beloved one-hour nightly free swims, and full moon swims with their accompanying primal howls, can continue as usual. Over the weekend, social media users posted photos of a sign at Barton Springs Pool indicating that effective June 1, the pool would close nightly at 9 p.m. This would have impacted post-sunset swims, a cherished part of Austin's culture. On most nights, pool access is free from 9 to 10 p.m. While free "swim at your own risk" hours from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. would have remained, the extended evening frolics were off the schedule. The proposed changes would have meant an end to impromptu dips under the stars, potentially pushing famously wild full moon parties into earlier hours. Social media users expressed concern that Barton Springs' nocturnal allure would become less weird and a lot more … bedtime-friendly. Jessica King, City of Austin Communication Director, told the Statesman on Tuesday that the city anticipated a deficit in this year's operating budget. To avoid the deficit, she said, the City Manager instructed all departments to find 1.5% in cost-saving measures. While the Parks and Recreation Department did consider reducing pool hours as a way to save money, this idea was never officially approved. King said that City Manager T.C. Broadnax had not "decided if the cost savings achieved by reducing pool hours would justify the impact to our residents' experience." Given that the summer season is already here and the city prefers "to provide residents with advanced notice on such changes" she said no changes to pool hours will be implemented at this time. However, King noted that "as we prepare for next year's budget, we must also prepare for tougher conversations across all department services." Before the reversal, news of the potential early closure sparked a significant outcry on social media. Austinites took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay and disappointment. Lifeguards United shared a photo of the announcement posted at the pool, saying no explanation had been given by the Parks and Recreation Department. Many shared personal anecdotes of late-night swims, emphasizing the role Barton Springs Pool plays in the community. One user on TikTok commented, 'Free night swim saved my life when I went through a divorce, why did they end it without any notice?!' Social media users expressed strong opposition to any changes that would limit access to the iconic pool, especially during the summer months. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Barton Springs Pool stays open late, Austin avoids early closing hours
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mosques to hold community gathering after vandals spray paint Star of David on building
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A press conference scheduled for Tuesday will feature representatives of three local mosques that were recently vandalized with spray painted Stars of David on the building, according to a press release from the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR-Austin. The vandalism at Nueces Mosque, which was caught on a security camera, shows a white person in shorts, t-shirt and a head wrap walk onto the porch before using a blue spray paint on the building. The Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association and Austin Diyanet Center also 'experienced coward vandalism over the night,' according to the release. Previous: Police investigating vandalism incidents at Austin mosques CAIR Austin Operations Manager Shaimaa Zayan said in the release that hate comes 'from isolation and misinformation.' 'Acts of vandalism against houses of worship are not only attacks on physical spaces but also on the values of tolerance, diversity, and mutual respect,' Zayan said. 'On behalf of the Austin Muslim community, we warmly invite all Austinites—of all faiths and no faith—to attend the upcoming community gathering at Nueces Mosque.' The gathering will held at Nueces Mosque Thursday from 6-8 p.m. She also called for contributions to the mosques' fundraiser campaign to improve security at the places of worship. The Austin Police Department said it is investigating the vandalism incidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City of Austin's Memorial Day office closures, trash collection, park schedules
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin announced several closures on Memorial Day, including administrative offices and other municipal facilities. The city said administrative offices would return to normal business hours Tuesday. City of Austin utilities customers are urged to continue making payments online at or by calling 1-833-375-4949. In-person payments would be accepted at most HEB, Fiesta Mart, Randall's, and Walmart stores on Memorial Day. Austin's curbside trash collection service is not impacted by the holiday. Austin Resource Recovery Curbside Collections said customers can check their collection schedule anytime in the Austin Recycles app or at The Recycle and Reuse Drop-off Center will be closed but Austin Water's Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant will be open during regular hours, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., for yard trimmings and large brush drop off. City parks, golf courses, cemeteries, year-round pools and splash pads will be open. Hours vary by location. Visit the Parks and Recreation and Park Closures pages for up-to-date details. Library resources can be accessed at the Austin Public Library website. The city encourages Austinites and visitors to celebrate Memorial Day responsibly and know how to get home safely. Additionally, the following public resources are available, if needed, during the holiday weekend. Report power outages at or by calling 512-322-9100. For non-emergency issues or to submit service requests, call 3-1-1 or download the Austin 3-1-1 mobile app . Report water or wastewater emergencies by calling 512-972-1000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Google store at The Domain is opening this week
Google is opening its newest retail store in Austin this week, bringing its lineup of tech products and services closer to local shoppers. Located at the Domain, the store opens Friday, May 30, marking Google's first retail location in Texas and its seventh worldwide. Similar to an Apple store, the storefront will feature Google products and tech for Austinites to try out such as Gemini Live, the company's AI assistant, on a Pixel phone or its Nest cameras and FitBit trackers. The store also will have pickups for online orders and have experts in person to help troubleshoot issues or provide repairs. Google has experts on hand to help visitors get the most out of their device, such as troubleshooting an issue, providing Pixel phone repairs and more. The Domain storefront will open at 10 a.m. Friday, May 30, and is at 11701 Domain Blvd, Suite #164, which is in the same building as the Shade Store, EVEREVE and Tecovas near Nordstrom. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Google's Domain storefront to open this week
