Tesla has officially started testing robotaxi rides in Austin using self-driving Model Y vehicles. After years of promises from Elon Musk, this marks a new phase in Tesla’s vision for autonomous travel. The ride-hailing service offers trips in driverless Teslas for $4.20 per ride, currently available to a small number of invited users through a new app.
This pilot program is unique because Tesla is using only cameras and artificial intelligence, unlike other companies that rely on sensors like radar and lidar. However, each vehicle still has a Tesla employee sitting in the front passenger seat to act as a “safety monitor.” Their role isn’t fully clear yet, but they may be able to stop the vehicle if needed.
Tesla’s current robotaxi fleet includes about 10 specially marked 2025 Model Y cars. They are operating in a limited area of South Austin from 6:00 a.m. to midnight each day, with service depending on weather. Reports suggest some of these vehicles have shown unpredictable behavior on the road, such as braking suddenly near police cars, raising questions about their readiness.
Despite limited transparency, Tesla is encouraging early users to share videos and pictures from their rides, as long as they follow strict usage rules. The company warns that misuse or violating ride rules — such as drinking, smoking, or posting negative content — may lead to suspension from the service.
Interestingly, Tesla is not using its newly revealed Cybercab design yet. Instead, the current robotaxi rides rely on an upgraded version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software. The in-cabin camera is turned off during rides unless emergency help is requested. It activates only after the ride ends to check if the vehicle is ready for the next trip.
Tesla has blocked information requests from media and government agencies, citing business confidentiality. This lack of public data has raised concerns among industry observers. Still, supporters are celebrating what they see as a major milestone in autonomous transport.
While this early rollout is small, it’s a key moment in Tesla’s long pursuit of self-driving cars. Time will tell if this test will lead to a full-scale robotaxi service — or reveal more challenges along the way.
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