Tesla launches self-driving 'Robo-Taxi' service in Austin with fixed fees

Tesla, led by billionaire Elon Musk, announced the launch of the 'Robo-Taxi' self-driving taxi service in the city of Austin, Texas, after a slight delay from the previously scheduled date of June 12. The launch came after Musk confirmed his 'extreme caution' approach to ensure the highest safety standards.

The new service will operate using the multi-purpose sports car model Y instead of the still-in-development Cyber Cab vehicle expected to be released after 2026. Customers can use the self-driving taxi for a fixed fee of $4.20 per trip.

Musk revealed on the X platform that the 'Robo-Taxi' features automatically syncing media settings and streaming before the passenger's location is determined, ensuring a personalized user experience. Tesla also confirmed that the autonomous driving system does not require expensive additional equipment or complex maps, making it easier to expand the service in the future.

The service will start with only 10 vehicles operating during the first week, increasing to a thousand vehicles within a few months. In its initial stage, operation will be limited to specific hours from 6 am to midnight and will only be available to invited users within a specific geographic area.