Get ready, Austin! Tesla CEO Elon Musk just shared some exciting news: the electric vehicle giant is rolling out a self-driving ride-hailing service in the Texas capital this June. The catch? No drivers — these cars will be fully autonomous.
Musk didn’t spill too many details, but he did confirm the service will use Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving software, which hasn’t been released to the public yet. These robotaxis are part of the company’s long-term vision for fully autonomous vehicles, which Musk has been hyping up for years.
This isn’t the first time Musk has talked about a self-driving fleet. Back in October, he unveiled the Cybercab, a futuristic vehicle prototype with no steering wheel or pedals. At the time, he mentioned plans to launch a ride-hailing service in Texas and California by 2025, using Tesla’s popular Model Y and Model 3 vehicles.
Austin seems to be the testing ground for this ambitious project. Reports suggest that Tesla has been in talks with city officials to make it happen. Musk described the launch as a cautious first step, with the company testing the software in controlled environments before hitting the streets.
“We’re putting our toe in the water gently at first,” Musk said, emphasizing that safety is the top priority. If all goes well, Tesla could expand the service further.
While Musk’s promises often come with a dose of skepticism, this latest announcement has certainly sparked excitement. Austin residents might soon get a glimpse of the future — and possibly a ride in a driverless Tesla. Stay tuned as more details unfold!