Tesla Begins Testing Driverless Robotaxis in Austin

Tesla has officially begun testing driverless robotaxis in Austin, Texas, marking a significant milestone in the company's pursuit of autonomous vehicle technology. According to Electrek, a Tesla vehicle was spotted operating on public roads without a safety driver, a move confirmed by CEO Elon Musk.

While this development indicates Tesla's growing confidence in its Full Self-Driving capabilities, concerns remain regarding safety data. Currently, Tesla has not provided comprehensive data to prove that its FSD system is safer than human drivers; past data indicates a concerning crash rate during a pilot program.

CleanTechnica also reported sightings of multiple driverless vehicles in Austin, but questions linger about the necessity of testing without a human monitor. As Musk aims to expedite the deployment of this technology, the potential for accidents and the response from regulators and the public could significantly influence the future of Tesla's robotaxi initiative.