Feed: Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Feed Link: https://www.engadget.com/
---

Title: Tesla inaugural Robotaxi rides will have a human 'safety monitor' on
board

Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2025 16:13:07 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/transportation/tesla...

A select few will soon get to experience Tesla's robotaxi service for the
first time, but they won't be alone in the car. The company plans to launch
its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas tomorrow, but a
"Tesla Safety Monitor" will accompany the first riders, according to email
invitations sent out to "Early Access Riders." It's unclear what capabilities
the safety monitor will have, but they will sit in the front passenger seat
of a self-driving Model Y.

The email outlined several parameters, including that users were limited to a
geofenced area that excludes airports, could run into unavailability due to
bad weather and can only hail a robotaxi between 6 am and midnight. This
restrictive launch will reportedly only offer 10 cars and comes after a delay
from an initial launch date on June 12.

With the official date set, Tesla will only offer its robotaxi service with
its Model Y for now. This robotaxi service will lay the groundwork for an
eventual Cybercab release, which isn't expected to start production until at
least 2026, according to the company. For now, Tesla's robotaxi service will
face competition from Waymo, which started offering its competiting services
in March to Austin residents.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/transportation/tesla...
have-a-human-safety-monitor-on-board-161307639.html?src=rss

---
VRSS v2.1.180528