Tesla has finally shown off its Robotaxis in action, with footage shared by Elon Musk. The service is set to launch in Austin on June 12, but it’s unclear if the current design can meet the required safety standards.
Musk tweeted that the cars are “beautifully simple” and are being sent straight from the factory, implying they have the capability for unsupervised self-driving. However, critics argue that Tesla’s current technology is not advanced enough to operate at Level 4 autonomy alone.
The service will initially feature around 10 vehicles, with only Tesla employees allowed to ride in them. Musk claims that by the end of 2026, over 1 million self-driving cars will be on American roads. However, concerns remain over Tesla’s safety record and ability to accomplish higher levels of autonomy.
One potential advantage is Texas’s relaxed regulations on autonomous vehicles, but it remains to be seen how Tesla plans to implement teleoperation systems for remote control. The company has listed developing such a system, but has not provided further details.
As the Robotaxis launch nears, questions about safety and feasibility continue to linger over this ambitious venture.
Source: https://futurism.com/unprepared-robotaxi-looks-like