• TEXT= DATE: 16.07.2025 SoulboundTV  |  IDO  | Social
  • TIMER= 16.07.2025
  • BUTTON= DISCOVER MORE
  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 42,977.00 0.18%
  • ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 2,365.53 1.12%
  • tetherTether (USDT) $ 1.00 0.2%
  • bnbBNB (BNB) $ 302.66 0.19%
  • solanaSolana (SOL) $ 95.44 1.28%
  • xrpXRP (XRP) $ 0.501444 0.1%
  • usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.996294 0.34%
  • staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 2,367.26 1.4%
  • cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.481226 2.68%
  • avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 34.37 1.19%
  • bitcoinBitcoin (BTC) $ 42,977.00 0.18%
    ethereumEthereum (ETH) $ 2,365.53 1.12%
    tetherTether (USDT) $ 1.00 0.2%
    bnbBNB (BNB) $ 302.66 0.19%
    solanaSolana (SOL) $ 95.44 1.28%
    xrpXRP (XRP) $ 0.501444 0.1%
    usd-coinUSDC (USDC) $ 0.996294 0.34%
    staked-etherLido Staked Ether (STETH) $ 2,367.26 1.4%
    cardanoCardano (ADA) $ 0.481226 2.68%
    avalanche-2Avalanche (AVAX) $ 34.37 1.19%
image-alt-1BTC Dominance: 58.93%
image-alt-2 ETH Dominance: 12.89%
image-alt-3 BTC/ETH Ratio: 26.62%
image-alt-4 Total Market Cap 24h: $2.51T
image-alt-5Volume 24h: $144.96B
image-alt-6 ETH Gas Price: 5.1 Gwei
 

MORE FROM SPONSORED

LIVE Web3 News

 

ARTICLE INFORMATION

Tesla robotaxi launch

Tesla robotaxi launch kicks off in Austin with safety monitors and $4.20 rides

https://icn.live/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Tesla-robotaxi-launch.mp3
  • by ICN.live
Adnan Al-Jaziri

Tesla robotaxi launch has finally begun in Austin, marking a major milestone for the company’s autonomous ambitions.

After years of promises from CEO Elon Musk, Tesla has started giving rides in driverless 2025 Model Y SUVs. These robotaxis are equipped with a new “unsupervised” Full Self-Driving software. The initial fleet is limited to about 10 vehicles operating within a restricted area of South Austin.

In a notable twist, each ride includes a Tesla employee seated in the front passenger seat as a “safety monitor.” These monitors are not meant to control the vehicle, but they may have access to an emergency kill switch. Tesla’s rollout blends live testing with early commercial operations, which sets it apart from competitors.

A bold test for Tesla’s camera-only approach

The Tesla robotaxi launch is testing Musk’s controversial theory — that fully autonomous driving can be achieved using only cameras and end-to-end AI. This diverges sharply from rivals like Waymo, which use lidar, radar, and detailed maps for navigation.

Tesla is encouraging early riders to document their experiences. However, they must follow strict rules, including no smoking, drinking, or posting content that violates Tesla’s policies. The company can suspend access if those terms are broken.

Unlike most robotaxi services, Tesla will not use its in-cabin camera by default. It will activate only if a rider requests help or during emergencies. After a ride ends, the camera will confirm if the vehicle is ready for its next trip.

The Tesla robotaxi launch also brings transparency challenges. In a letter to the Texas Attorney General, Tesla cited trade secrets and business confidentiality as reasons for withholding specific operational details. This raises questions about the oversight of autonomous vehicle safety.

ANOTHER MUST-READ ON ICN.LIVE:

CoinMarketCap front-end hack raises serious concerns about crypto platform security

Tesla robotaxi launch shows promise — with limits

Tesla sent early-access invitations to vetted users, who downloaded a new app to request rides. The service runs daily from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, but won’t operate in bad weather. Initial social media videos from Austin confirmed that the $4.20 per ride rollout has begun — a nod to Musk’s well-known humor.

Though Tesla’s robotaxi service is small for now, its success or failure could impact the future of autonomous ride-hailing. If this camera-based, safety monitor-supported strategy works, it could shift industry standards.

SHARE

How does Tesla’s robotaxi system differ from other autonomous services like Waymo?

Tesla’s robotaxi system relies solely on cameras and neural networks for navigation, known as its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Unlike Waymo, which uses a combination of lidar, radar, and pre-mapped environments, Tesla’s approach minimizes external sensors and focuses on software intelligence. This makes Tesla’s system less reliant on predefined maps but arguably more difficult to validate for safety. Tesla’s strategy is ambitious, aiming for scalability through AI improvements, while Waymo emphasizes structured data and redundant sensing for accuracy.

What role do safety monitors play in the Tesla robotaxi rollout?

Each Tesla robotaxi currently includes a “safety monitor” seated in the front passenger seat. These monitors aren’t driving the car or intervening unless absolutely necessary. Their primary role is to observe and ensure overall system safety, possibly with access to a kill switch in emergencies. This hybrid model is Tesla’s way of merging live operations with ongoing testing. It reflects both caution and confidence in their software, serving as a temporary bridge to full autonomy.

Why is Tesla not using in-cabin cameras by default in the robotaxi service?

Tesla has chosen not to activate the in-cabin camera during rides unless a rider requests assistance or an emergency occurs. The camera is used only after the ride ends to confirm the car’s readiness for the next passenger. This choice likely reflects a compromise between user privacy and operational monitoring. However, this decision raises questions about Tesla’s ability to ensure safety without constant internal observation — especially compared to companies like Waymo that rely heavily on sensor data.

Is this robotaxi rollout the final version of Tesla’s autonomous service?

No, this is a limited, early-access rollout of Tesla’s robotaxi concept. Only around 10 vehicles are currently operating in South Austin, and only selected customers received access to the new app. The service is still heavily supervised, featuring safety monitors and usage rules. Tesla describes the software as “unsupervised,” but the presence of safety personnel and restrictions shows that it’s a controlled experiment. The long-term goal is a fully autonomous, scalable ride-hailing platform.

FEATURED

EVENTS

Days
Hr
Min
Sec
 

ICN TALKS EPISODES