Elon Musk, Tesla’s Chief Executive Officer, has announced an ambitious goal to deploy fully autonomous robotaxis, operating without safety drivers, in select areas of Austin, Texas, by the close of 2024. The company further plans to expand its robotaxi service to an additional 8 to 10 markets before the end of 2025. This expansion marks a considerable leap from the current state of Tesla’s robotaxi programs in Austin and San Francisco, which still rely on safety monitors equipped with override capabilities.
While acknowledging the transformative potential of fully autonomous vehicles, Musk stressed Tesla’s commitment to a careful and deliberate rollout. “We’re obviously being very cautious about the deployment,” he stated, highlighting the importance of safety and reliability as the company pushes the boundaries of driverless technology and aims to reshape urban transportation.