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Title: Tesla Begins Driverless Robotaxi Service in Austin, Texas

Link: https://news.slashdot.org/story/25/06/22/2021...

With no one behind the steering wheel, a Tesla robotaxi passes Guero's Taco
Bar in Austin Texas, making a right turn onto Congress Avenue. Today is the
day Austin became the first city in the world to see Tesla's self-driving
robotaxi service, reports The Guardian: Some analysts believe that the
robotaxis will only be available to employees and invitees initially. For the
CEO, Tesla's rollout is slow. "We could start with 1,000 or 10,000
[robotaxis] on day one, but I don't think that would be prudent," he told
CNBC in May. "So, we will start with probably 10 for a week, then increase it
to 20, 30, 40." The billionaire has said the driverless cars will be
monitored remotely... [Posting on X.com] Musk said the date was "tentatively"
22 June but that this launch date would be "not real self-driving", which
would have to wait nearly another week... Musk said he planned to have one
thousand Tesla robotaxis on Austin roads "within a few months" and then he
would expand to other cities in Texas and California. Musk posted on X that
riders on launch day would be charged a flat fee of $4.20, according to
Reuters. And "In recent days, Tesla has sent invites to a select group of
Tesla online influencers for a small and carefully monitored robotaxi
trial..." As the date of the planned robotaxi launch approached, Texas
lawmakers moved to enact rules on autonomous vehicles in the state. Texas
Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, on Friday signed legislation requiring a
state permit to operate self-driving vehicles. The law does not take effect
until September 1, but the governor's approval of it on Friday signals state
officials from both parties want the driverless-vehicle industry to proceed
cautiously... The law softens the state's previous anti-regulation stance on
autonomous vehicles. A 2017 Texas law specifically prohibited cities from
regulating self-driving cars... The law requires autonomous-vehicle operators
to get approval from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before operating
on public streets without a human driver. It also gives state authorities the
power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the
public," and requires firms to provide information on how police and first
responders can deal with their driverless vehicles in emergency situations.
The law's requirements for getting a state permit to operate an "automated
motor vehicle" are not particularly onerous but require a firm to attest it
can safely operate within the law... Compliance remains far easier than in
some states, most notably California, which requires extensive submission of
vehicle-testing data under state oversight. Tesla "planned to operate only in
areas it considered the safest," according to the article, and "plans to
avoid bad weather, difficult intersections, and will not carry anyone below
the age of 18." More details from UPI: To get started using the robotaxis,
users must download the Robotaxi app and use their Tesla account to log in,
where it then functions like most ridesharing apps... "Riders may not always
be delivered to their intended destinations or may experience inconveniences,
interruptions, or discomfort related to the Robotaxi," the company wrote in a
disclaimer in its terms of service. "Tesla may modify or cancel rides in its
discretion, including for example due to weather conditions." The terms of
service include a clause that Tesla will not be liable for "any indirect,
consequential, incidental, special, exemplary, or punitive damages, including
lost profits or revenues, lost data, lost time, the costs of procuring
substitute transportation services, or other intangible losses" from the use
of the robotaxis. Their article includes a link to the robotaxi's complete
Terms of Service: To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Robotaxi,
Robotaxi app, and any ride are provided "as is" and "as available" without
warranties of any kind, either express or implied... The Robotaxi is not
intended to provide transportation services in connection with emergencies,
for example emergency transportation to a hospital... Tesla's total liability
for any claim arising from or relating to Robotaxi or the Robotaxi app is
limited to the greater of the amount paid by you to Tesla for the Robotaxi
ride giving rise to the claim, and $100... Tesla may modify these Terms in
our discretion, effective upon posting an updated version on Tesla's website.
By using a Robotaxi or the Robotaxi app after Tesla posts such modifications,
you agree to be bound by the revised Terms.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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