2 days ago
Austin-based business says it will offer Tesla robotaxi rentals in 2026
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Just days from now, Tesla reportedly plans to deploy its first commercial robotaxi service on Austin's public streets. Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled plans to launch them in June as part of its new autonomous vehicle ride hailing service.
On Tuesday, social media posts circulated online of one of those vehicles driving on South Congress Avenue.
Tesla robotaxi service reportedly launching next week in Austin
Austin-based RV rental agency, The Outdoorsy Group, said it plans to incorporate this new technology in the future.
'We see outdoorsy as a platform for all forms of mobility,' said Co-Founder and CEO Jeff Cavins. 'Motorcycles, trucks, cars, camper vans, airstreams. Of course, the autonomous vehicle is important to us because it enables a whole level of autonomy.'
Cavins said he jumped at the idea when it was first announced.
'We called the fleet team, whom we knew really well at Tesla, and we placed an order for 100 Teslas.'
Jeff Cavins, Outdoorsy Group Co-Founder & CEO
Cavins said along with Outdoorsy, they built their own insurance company called Roamly Insurance Group.
'I think the insurance component is very important,' Cavins said. 'You want to make sure, if you're a city or a municipality or city council or a mayor's office, that the insurance company that's backing these fleets of robotaxis is an insurance company you can rely on.'
Still, some questions remain unanswered. In a letter sent to Tesla in May, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the company to explain how it plans to operate safely.
Questions focused on things like:
Crash reporting
Complying with traffic safey laws
Automated responses to emergencies
NHTSA asked how the robotaxis will safely operate in low-visibility, like sun glare, fog, rain or snow. Those conditions are tied to previous accidents involving the company's driver-assistance software.
KXAN reached out to see if NHTSA heard back. The agency told us on Friday that its investigation remains open and that Tesla's response must be submitted by June 19. NHTSA said any updates will be posted in the investigation file online.
Attorney Donald Slavik represents people across the country who were injured or killed by Tesla autopilot and full self-driving. He shared multiple stories with KXAN about some of the cases he's taken.
'A family in Texas where a gentleman, father and husband was putting trash cans out on the street in the neighborhood,' Slavik said. 'Vehicle coming by with the driver using autopilot so that he could talk on his phone or work on his phone. Hit the man and very, very seriously injured [him]. He survived for a year and a half and died.'
Slavik said unlike states with established autonomous vehicle oversight, cities in Texas cannot regulate AV's. The Texas Legislature passed a bill back in 2017 that prohibited that.
'There's nothing that prevents someone from putting these vehicles out in Texas. There's no regulation that says you have to have a human person behind the wheel with responsibility for operating the vehicle.'
Attorney Donald Slavik, Slavik Law Firm
Slavik worries about how a robotaxi would respond in severe weather conditions as well.
'Is it going to pull over safely and stop, or is it going to try to drive through it?' Slavik wondered.
KXAN has repeatedly reached out to Tesla about its robotaxi plans. We'll update this story if we get a response.
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