Tesla has officially entered the autonomous ride-hailing space with the discreet launch of its robotaxi service, deploying a small fleet of driverless Model Y SUVs in a pilot rollout. The service marks a major step in Elon Musk’s long-promised vision of full autonomy, relying solely on cameras and artificial intelligence instead of lidar or radar.
Currently operating on a limited basis through a new Tesla app, the service runs daily from 6:00 a.m. to midnight and charges a flat fare of $4.20 per ride—a price point some believe is a cheeky reference to Musk’s past internet humor. Approximately ten 2025 Model Ys, each with a Tesla “safety monitor” in the passenger seat, are providing the rides within a geo-fenced area. The company hasn’t clearly defined the monitors’ role or how much control they retain.
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Despite the service’s high-tech promise, Tesla has released minimal technical information about the system’s safety protocols or limitations. A dedicated support page covers rider guidelines and general app use, but omits performance metrics and regulatory disclosures. The company has also sought to block access to public documents related to the program, citing business confidentiality in filings in Texas.
Social media videos and eyewitness reports confirmed the robotaxis’ presence on the roads, including an incident involving an abrupt stop near police vehicles. Meanwhile, Tesla insists its revamped Full Self-Driving (FSD) system can operate “unsupervised,” though human monitors remain on board for now. Riders are encouraged to film their trips but face suspension for violating service rules, which ban smoking, alcohol, illegal substances, or misconduct.
While Elon Musk hailed the launch as a “decade of hard work” come to life, industry experts have raised concerns over transparency and safety, particularly given Tesla’s decision to bypass prolonged public testing in favor of immediate commercial deployment.
