Tesla is set to launch its robotaxi service, named CyberCab, this weekend in Austin, Texas. CEO Elon Musk announced on X that the first public rides will operate on a limited, invite-only basis with a few Model Y vehicles, monitored by safety personnel. This initial rollout is part of Tesla's broader plans for autonomous ride-hailing, which include future vehicles without steering wheels or pedals, known as the CyberCab sedan, with production expected to commence in 2026.
Tesla's move into the robotaxi sector follows the establishment of similar services by other companies. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, currently provides driverless rides in cities including Phoenix and San Francisco, with plans to expand to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. The company reportedly conducts over 250,000 paid trips weekly using a fleet of more than 1,500 electric vehicles.
Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, is also working on its own robotaxi service. It has been testing its purpose-built vehicles in cities such as San Francisco and Las Vegas, with a public launch anticipated later this year. Recently, Zoox opened a production facility in California, aiming to manufacture over 10,000 robotaxis annually.
As Tesla prepares to enter the market, it aims to eventually expand its service to major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, with Musk expressing confidence that the robotaxi initiative will significantly impact the company's finances by mid-2024. The race for dominance in the self-driving taxi industry continues as established players like Waymo and Zoox also advance their technologies and service areas.