At last, Tesla’s Robotaxi service has begun, with passengers getting their first rides starting on Sunday, June 22. Arriving slightly later than the anticipated June 12 launch date reported last month, this is nevertheless a groundbreaking moment for a company that has long been mired in Full Self Driving controversy.
The electric carmaker kicked off the service at its home in Austin, Texas, limiting it to a select few owners who received early access invites; these people were vetted beforehand and, as TechCrunch reported, have been among the brand’s most ardent fans. Each ride costs a flat rate of – you guessed it, since this is Elon Musk we’re talking about – US$4.20 (RM18).
Interested users will need to download a separate Robotaxi app to hire a “cab” – the fleet currently consists of ten facelifted Model Ys, updated with the latest self-driving software and coming with Robotaxi stickers. Once inside, they can start the journey using the car’s built-in rear touchscreen, where they can also adjust the air-con and seating position and even stream their own music.
— Tesla (@Tesla) June 22, 2025
Of course, this being Tesla, there are a few caveats. For one, the “unsupervised” term previously used was wide off the mark, as every Robotaxi comes with a Tesla “safety driver” in the passenger seat that is ready to stop the car in case things go awry. This is empathically not the case with the other driverless taxi service in the US, Waymo.
Passengers are also not allowed to sit on the driver’s seat – it’s the rear bench or nothing, unfortunately. What’s more, those riding in the car have to be 18 or older, and the service is also limited to a small geofenced area of the state capital.
For what it’s worth, video posted by those lucky enough to ride in the Robotaxi showed the system functioning reasonably well, occasionally better than Waymo, although one car did get confused by police cars at a crime scene and stopped twice as if being pulled over.
Eventually, the Model Y Robotaxis will be replaced by the specially-designed Cybercab – a two-door, two-seater coupé with scissor doors and no steering wheel or pedals. That car is being targeted to enter production 2026 with a price of less than US$30,000 (RM127,200), although given that this is Tesla we’re talking about, we can take both with a heavy pinch of salt.
GALLERY: Tesla Cybercab
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