Tech Desk 
Jun 23, 2025
A Tesla robotaxi drives on the street along South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, US, June 22, 2025. — Reuters
Tesla, one of the most proficient electric vehicle (EV) makers, has reportedly rolled out its long-touted autonomous robotaxis in Austin, Texas.
Although the launch of the Elon Musk-owned self-driving taxis was kicked off with a tiny fleet, initially, it marked a big move in the company's strides aimed at normalising autonomous transport.
Tesla's "robotaxi launch" was announced by Musk, with social media influencers sharing their first experiences of the rides.
The development is believed to have proved the first time Tesla vehicles have transported paying passengers without human intervention, an achievement Musk holds dear for the company's financial future.
In a post on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), Musk said the occasion was the "culmination of a decade of hard work."
Reuters reported that Teslas were seen cruising down the streets of the South Congress neighbourhood, with one passenger in the back seat while the front seat was empty.
Tesla robotaxis service prices
Given the rates revealed by Musk on X, it's worth noting that the Tesla robotaxis are offered at a price of $4.20.
The initial trial of Tesla robotaxis in Austin, Texas, comprises around 10 vehicles wherein front-seat riders served as "safety monitors," while the full control of the vehicles was not fully clear.
