Tesla is set to launch its highly anticipated robotaxi service on June 22, but the initial rides will not be fully driverless as originally promised. Instead, a human “safety monitor” will sit in the front passenger seat—a notable departure from CEO Elon Musk’s earlier vision of completely unmanned vehicles.
The limited pilot program, revealed in invitations sent to select investors and influencers, will involve 10 to 20 Tesla Model Y vehicles operating within a designated geofenced area. Rides must be booked between 6 a.m. and midnight, with airports excluded from service. Additionally, operations may be restricted in bad weather.
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Each rider will be allowed one guest aged 18 or older, but Tesla has not yet announced when the service will expand beyond the invite-only phase.
The decision to include human monitors reflects growing regulatory scrutiny and a more cautious approach to Tesla’s autonomous driving ambitions. Musk had previously claimed the vehicles would be capable of unsupervised operation with remote assistance in emergencies. However, the presence of safety staff now raises questions about the timeline for achieving full autonomy.
Regulatory pressure on Tesla has intensified ahead of the launch. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently requested more details on the system’s performance in low-visibility conditions, citing concerns about its safety in inclement weather. Meanwhile, Texas lawmakers—where Tesla is headquartered—have urged the company to delay operations until new autonomous vehicle regulations take effect in September. The law will require robotaxi services to obtain approval from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles before operating without a human driver.
Despite this scaled-back debut, Tesla’s robotaxi trial represents a significant step in the company’s push toward full self-driving technology—a cornerstone of Musk’s long-term vision for Tesla. Whether the service can evolve into the fully autonomous system he envisions remains uncertain.
The launch will be closely watched as a test of both Tesla’s technological capabilities and the regulatory landscape surrounding autonomous vehicles.
