Tesla. (Photo = Yonhap news)

 

 

[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Tesla has officially launched its first paid robotaxi pilot service in Texas, marking a major milestone in autonomous vehicle development. On June 22 (local time), Tesla deployed a small fleet of fully autonomous vehicles in an urban area to carry paying passengers—without a driver behind the wheel.



CEO Elon Musk announced the news on social media platform X, calling it “the result of a decade of hard work.” He emphasized that everything from the AI chips to the self-driving software was developed in-house by Tesla.



According to Reuters and other sources, the pilot program currently operates between 10 to 12 vehicles, utilizing geofencing technology to restrict their operation to a designated zone. The fare is set at a flat rate of $4.20 per ride.



Tesla reportedly invited select social media influencers to participate in the trial, signaling a strategic push to publicize the robotaxi’s capabilities.



Tesla investor and influencer Sawyer Merritt shared a video on X showing his experience in one of the robotaxis. The vehicle operated without a driver, with only a “safety operator” seated in the front passenger seat, autonomously navigating to a restaurant destination.

 

 

 

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