On Monday, Elon Musk launched Tesla’s much-anticipated Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, lagging behind competitors like Waymo. Musk had previously predicted one million self-driving taxis by 2020, but the service has only just debuted in 2025 with around 10 vehicles available, limited to specific areas and operational during the day. Early reviews from influencers have been mostly positive, although some riders experienced issues, such as vehicles stopping unexpectedly or navigating poorly, leading to mixed ratings.
Waymo, which has been operating since 2016, has a more established service with a safety record of 10 million rides without major incidents. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of issues with Tesla’s Robotaxis, reaffirming that manufacturers must meet rigorous safety standards.
In response to Tesla’s launch, Waymo announced a partnership with Uber to expand its self-driving services in Atlanta. Despite challenges, Tesla’s stock rose following the launch, indicating investor confidence in the long-term prospects of the Robotaxi service.
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