Tesla may launch Robotaxi in June, with testing in Austin progressing steadily

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Tesla (TSLA.US) is accelerating its pace to prepare for the launch of its autonomous ride-hailing service (Robotaxi) in June. Currently, the company has expanded the testing scope of its ride-hailing app to employees in Austin.

The electric vehicle manufacturer shared a video on the social media platform X, showcasing the relevant progress: in the video, someone called a Tesla using a mobile phone, with a driver in the front seat and different passengers in the back seat.

CEO Elon Musk responded to the video by stating, "Preparing for driverless autonomous driving."

On Wednesday, Tesla stated that the actions in Austin, along with previously announced tests for employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, are aimed at developing and validating ride-hailing applications, driving assistance software, and vehicle dispatching functions. According to the released content, over 1,500 trips have been completed, covering a distance of 15,000 miles.

The ride-hailing service utilizes Tesla's so-called "full self-driving" feature. However, despite the name, this feature still requires continuous supervision from a driver, and the vehicle is not fully autonomous. A disclaimer in Tesla's video indicates that a safety driver will be present in the vehicle to intervene when necessary.

On Tuesday, Tesla executives revealed during a conference call with investors that the company plans to launch a software version that does not require a driver but accepts remote supervision, expected to be publicly released this summer under the name "Robotaxi." Initially, 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles will be deployed in Austin, with plans to gradually expand the scale and extend services to other cities, adding more vehicle models.

Although executives did not mention the pilot situation of the ride-hailing service for Austin employees during the conference call, Musk stated that Tesla's quality assurance fleet is testing locally. He also joked, "Now there are Teslas circling everywhere in Austin; it looks quite strange."

Another focus of the conference call was Tesla's declining sales. The company reported its worst quarterly performance in years, and Musk stated that it would significantly reduce work related to the U.S. government and refocus on Tesla's business.

For the ride-hailing service, Tesla ultimately plans to use a specially designed two-seater model called Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals and is expected to be mass-produced next year.

For years, Musk has mentioned that Tesla aims to operate a fleet of driverless vehicles. The successful launch of this service is crucial for both Tesla and Musk himself, as the CEO has bet the future of this electric vehicle manufacturer on autonomous driving technology and robotics.

However, obtaining the approvals needed for widespread deployment may still take years. Meanwhile, many competitors, including Waymo LLC, have deployed driverless vehicles on public roads in several cities, including Austin.

Tesla has revealed almost no details about who will be the first to use this service, pricing standards, and other specifics. The company intends to use a mobile app similar to Uber (UBER.US) or Lyft (LYFT.US) to facilitate ride requests for customers. About a year ago, Tesla first showcased a screenshot of the platform during an investor demonstration event, and the newly released video features an app named "Robotaxi." Previously, Tesla has been in discussions with the city of Austin regarding safety requirements to determine the launch location for its autonomous vehicle fleet.

Last month, Tesla received approval from the state of California to begin carrying passengers. Initially, it will be open to employees, and then it will expand to the general public, using the company's own vehicles. However, to achieve fully autonomous passenger service, Tesla still needs to obtain more approvals