Tesla has begun testing its self-driving Model Y vehicles in Austin, Texas, with Elon Musk announcing that the first unit is expected to be delivered as early as June — ahead of schedule. The move comes as Tesla prepares for the long-awaited launch of its own robotaxi service .
Musk had said earlier this year that the testing phase would begin with 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles . In his new post on X (formerly Twitter), the billionaire revealed that the project is moving forward “a month early” and that testing has so far encountered no problems. It was originally said that robotaxis testing would begin in late June.
See also: Uber and WeRide: Global expansion of robotaxi services
According to a report by Bloomberg News, Tesla is reportedly planning to launch its service robotaxi in Austin on June 12, although Elon Musk has not officially confirmed the exact timeline.
More and more companies are turning to robotaxi services. It will be interesting to see how this technology develops and becomes integrated into our daily lives in the coming years. Rather than being limited to city centers, robotaxi services could potentially expand to suburban and rural areas, providing even greater accessibility for passengers. This could lead to a shift away from personal car ownership towards the use of autonomous vehicles as the primary means of transportation.
See also: Uber and Volkswagen collaborate on robotaxi service in the US
Strange times for Elon Musk
The announcement of the autonomous vehicle tests coincides with Elon Musk’s announcement that he is leaving his role in the Trump administration. The billionaire entrepreneur announced that he is leaving his position in the administration, ending his tenure in the DOGE, which is focused on cutting spending and reforming the federal government.
See also: Uber and WeRide launch robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi
Meanwhile, Tesla is facing a global sales slump, due to increasing competition in the electric vehicle space, but also due to Musk's and his close relationship with Trump.
Source: Reuters
