On June 21, 2025, U.S. highway safety regulators announced they are reviewing Tesla’s responses regarding the safety of its self-driving robotaxi technology, particularly in poor weather conditions. This development comes as Tesla prepares for a tentative robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas, scheduled for June 22, 2025. CEO Elon Musk has shared that the first public rides will begin on this date, with an additional milestone set for June 28, 2025, when a Tesla vehicle is expected to drive autonomously from the factory line to a customer’s house. This launch utilizes Model Y vehicles equipped with an updated version of Tesla’s ”Full Self-Driving” technology. The safety review follows Tesla’s ongoing testing of self-driving vehicles on Austin streets, a process Musk highlighted last month. The robotaxi initiative is seen as a significant step for Tesla, with the company planning to operate these vehicles in the safest parts of Austin, monitored remotely from operations centers. Wall Street analysts, including Wedbush’s Dan Ives, have expressed optimism, suggesting the robotaxi service could elevate Tesla’s market capitalization to over $2 trillion by the end of next year if successful. Tesla’s move includes a selective, invite-only rollout for the initial rides, starting this Sunday, June 22. The company has been preparing for this launch amid other operational updates, such as a planned production pause for Cybertruck and Model Y models in Austin from June 30, aimed at enhancing manufacturing efficiency. This pause, lasting a week, is part of Tesla’s strategy to accelerate production in the second half of 2025. The robotaxi project builds on Tesla’s cumulative 3.6 billion miles driven by its FSD system, reported earlier this year, nearly tripling the 1.3 billion miles from the previous year. The safety review by regulators is a routine step to ensure compliance with federal standards, with Tesla providing detailed answers to support its technology’s readiness. This launch marks a key moment in Tesla’s push toward autonomous driving, potentially reducing last-mile delivery costs and expanding its technological footprint in the electric vehicle market.
34news.online
34news.online
