Tesla is getting ready to start a new service in Austin, Texas, in June 2025, where people can use self-driving cars, called "robotaxis." These cars will not have any human driver inside. This is a big step for the self-driving car industry and could change how people travel in the future.

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Tesla’s focus on safety

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced the robotaxi service during an earnings call, stressing that safety is a top priority. "We just want to put a toe in the water, make sure everything's okay, put a few more toes in the water, with the safety of the general public and those in the car as a top priority," Musk said. The cars used in the robotaxi service will be owned by Tesla, not personal cars owned by customers. This ensures that Tesla controls the vehicles’ maintenance and safety measures.

Major boost in Tesla’s AI technology

Tesla has made big improvements to its technology that helps cars drive by themselves. In 2024, the company increased its AI training power by more than 400%. Tesla also released a video showing its Model 3 and Model Y cars driving on private roads without anyone behind the wheel. This shows that the same technology will be used for robotaxis in Texas.

Tesla has been testing its robotaxi service with employees in California since last year. During these tests, there were safety drivers in the car, ready to take control if needed. However, Tesla is still waiting for approval from the government to start offering paid rides in California and Texas, which they hope will happen by 2025.

Looking ahead to the future

Musk is confident that Tesla will soon roll out unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) cars across the United States. Last year, he also revealed plans for Tesla’s futuristic Cybercab, which is expected to go into production in 2026. Tesla is working hard to be a leader in the autonomous vehicle industry and change urban transportation for the future.