Tag: Robotaxi

Key Takeaways

1. The cabin microphones in Tesla robotaxis are always on to detect emergency vehicle sirens, enhancing safety.
2. Sound detection allows robotaxis to respond to their environment, such as pulling over for approaching emergency vehicles.
3. The system handles sound detection locally and does not store or send data to Tesla without user consent.
4. A demonstration showed a Model Y robotaxi effectively responding to ambulance sirens before passengers noticed.
5. Tesla has introduced a new windshield wiper routine for robotaxis to ensure the FSD cameras have a clear view, enhancing safety during operation.

The cabin camera in a Tesla robotaxi might only activate when support is contacted, yet the microphones are always on.

Why the Microphones Are Active

A recent video featuring a driverless Model Y stopping for an ambulance illustrates this point. During the information session before launching its Robotaxi service in Austin, TX, Tesla explained the necessity of keeping these cabin microphones operational. They are meant to pick up sirens from emergency vehicles, enabling the “unsupervised” Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to react appropriately and pull over.

According to Tesla, sound detection lets the Robotaxi automatically recognize and respond to its surrounding environment, like stopping for nearby sirens and yielding to approaching emergency vehicles. When a safety occurrence is identified, the media volume inside the car decreases, and a notification appears on the center screen for the rider. This sound detection for safety events is handled locally within the vehicle and isn’t linked to your Tesla account. This means the system can’t store or send this data to Tesla, even during a critical safety incident, unless you opt to allow it.

Demonstration of the Feature

A cool example from a nighttime Tesla robotaxi ride demonstrates that this feature functions properly. The Model Y picked up on ambulance sirens before the passengers noticed and moved to the side of the road to let the emergency vehicle through, continuing on to its destination afterward.

Tesla has created additional FSD features for when its vehicles, like the driverless Model Y currently operating in Austin, are in robotaxi mode. For instance, a new cleaning routine for the Model Y’s windshield wipers has been introduced, which makes three passes over the area directly in front of the FSD camera.

Enhanced Cleaning for Safety

The intent is to clear any dust or pollen that might build up and block the camera’s view, even if the windshield appears clean to the passengers, according to Tesla’s Yun-Ta Tsai. He noted that the cleaning is designed for the camera’s perspective, not the passenger’s. While the windshield may seem clear from the passenger side, dust can accumulate over time. Thus, the system proactively cleans periodically. Typically, people don’t notice how Waymo maintains their vehicles since their sensor suite is mounted on the roof, but they clean frequently because even light dust can cause unwanted diffraction patterns for LiDAR systems.

Even though Tesla’s robotaxi mode doesn’t rely on a complicated sensor setup with LiDAR to operate, the FSD cameras still require more frequent cleaning as a safety measure. Tesla hasn’t indicated whether this new windshield wiper routine will be available to regular owners who utilize FSD and could also benefit from this proactive cleaning.

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Key Takeaways

1. Tesla’s Robotaxi platform will have a specialized hailing app showing all ride charges in US dollars, including airport fees and cleaning costs.
2. The launch event for the Robotaxi service is scheduled for June 22 in Austin, with media and influencers invited.
3. Early Access testing is currently invite-only, with Model Y robotaxis operating from 6 AM to midnight and no airport trips allowed initially.
4. Safety features include a “Tesla Safety Monitor” and the ability to suspend service during bad weather, along with privacy measures for cabin cameras and microphones.
5. The Robotaxi service is being rolled out as an invitation-only experience, with selected users able to download the app on iOS and Android.

Tesla’s Robotaxi ride-share platform is set to feature a specialized hailing app that will detail all charges in US dollars, including fees for airports and possible vehicle cleaning.

Launch Event in Austin

Tesla has begun reaching out to various media figures and influencers in the automotive field, inviting them to the grand unveiling of the Robotaxi platform in Austin on Sunday, June 22.

Early Access Testing

Currently, the Early Access testing phase is exclusive to invitees. The Model Y robotaxis will operate in a specific area from 6 AM to midnight. Initially, those invited won’t be able to use the service to go to the airport, even though Tesla states that “charges for rides are clearly shown in the Robotaxi app in U.S. dollars, and may include applicable tolls, airport fees, regulatory charges, and similar costs in connection with the ride.”

Safety and Privacy Features

Tesla seems to be taking thorough measures to ensure the safety and privacy of its newly launched Robotaxi ride-share service. For instance, it will include a “Tesla Safety Monitor,” which is an employee equipped with a brake pedal and emergency stop buttons, similar to those seen in the leaked Model Y robotaxi interface.

The electric vehicle manufacturer also has the ability to suspend the Robotaxi service during bad weather. They assure users that the cabin camera will be disabled throughout the ride, unless passengers request help from the platform’s service center. However, the cabin microphones will remain active to detect sirens when the Model Y needs to yield to emergency vehicles. Still, these microphones won’t send any sound to Tesla unless the user engages with support or calls 911.

Invitation-Only Experience

These measures for safety and privacy could be why Tesla is rolling out the Robotaxi service as an invite-only experience, similar to the automotive influencers who participated in the Cybertruck launch events. Tesla welcomes their feedback at all times and clarifies that, for now, they are the only ones able to download the Robotaxi app on both iOS and Android platforms.

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Key Takeaways

1. Texas lawmakers are urging Tesla to delay the launch of its driverless Robotaxi service until new regulations take effect on September 1.
2. Texas has relaxed rules for autonomous vehicles, requiring only standard registration and insurance, unlike stricter regulations in California.
3. Tesla’s Model Y vehicles for the Robotaxi service already meet many legislative requirements, but some aspects still need validation before the launch.
4. The Robotaxi service will focus on geofenced urban areas, with human operators on standby for safety, similar to Waymo’s approach.
5. A developer interface for the Robotaxi service has been spotted, featuring safety buttons, though it’s unclear if they will be included in the final design.

As Tesla is preparing to kick off its first rides with the driverless Robotaxi service in Austin on June 22, a group of lawmakers from Texas have penned a letter urging the company to delay the launch.

Texas Regulations Favor Tesla

Tesla chose Austin for its relaxed rules concerning autonomous vehicles, unlike stricter regulations in places like California. In Texas, the laws for autonomous cars are similar to those for regular vehicles, requiring only standard registration and insurance.

However, the lawmakers are introducing new legislation regarding autonomous vehicles that will take effect on September 1. They are requesting that Tesla hold off on the Robotaxi launch until this date. The letter states, “Under the new framework, commercial autonomous vehicle operators transporting passengers or property must receive prior authorization from the Department of Motor Vehicles before operating on public streets without a human driver.”

Compliance with Legislative Requirements

The 2026 Model Y vehicles that Tesla currently uses for testing the Robotaxi service in Austin already meet many of the requirements set forth in the new legislation. Some aspects, such as being “capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if the automated driving system is rendered inoperable,” may still need to be proven for Tesla to move forward with the service prior to the new rules being enforced. Other requirements include being able to communicate with emergency responders, but Tesla has already completed the necessary training in Austin.

Tesla is set to roll out the Robotaxi service with approximately a dozen new Model Y vehicles that have been operating around Austin for some time now, featuring the new ride-share logo that can be observed below. There have been multiple sightings of these driverless Model Ys, which seem to have a test passenger either in the front or back seat.

Developer Interface Insights

Interestingly, someone was able to capture a photo of the developer interface for the Robotaxi service while waiting at a traffic light. The user interface features a 3D map along with two prominent buttons marked “Pull Over” and “Emergency Stop.” It remains unclear if these buttons will be included in the final design of the Robotaxi interface, but Elon Musk has emphasized that safety will take precedence during the pilot launch of the service.

Tesla is taking a page from Waymo’s playbook by focusing on geofenced urban areas that it has thoroughly mapped to minimize risks. Additionally, human operators will be on standby to assist, similar to Waymo’s approach.

As shown in the video below, Tesla is currently conducting a second validation run on these city streets to fine-tune how the Model Y’s camera-only FSD interprets the mapped geofenced areas.

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Key Takeaways

1. Tesla’s Robotaxi ride-share service will officially launch on June 22, with the first driverless delivery set for June 28.
2. The service will start in Austin, Texas, where a driverless Model Y was spotted, showcasing Tesla’s logo on the vehicle.
3. Texas has lenient regulations for self-driving cars, requiring minimal extra rules compared to standard vehicles.
4. The Robotaxi fleet will use a new version of Full Self-Driving (FSD) software called “unsupervised FSD,” with future updates planned to enhance performance.
5. Tesla is training local authorities in Austin on handling self-driving cars and will initially roll out about ten Model Y units in a controlled area, with human operators available for assistance.

Tesla’s Robotaxi Launch

Elon Musk announced that Tesla’s Robotaxi ride-share service will officially launch on June 22. Following this event, the first completely driverless delivery of a Model Y from the factory to a customer is set for June 28.

First Sightings of the Robotaxi

Before the launch, a driverless Model Y robotaxi was spotted on the streets of Austin for the first time. Tesla has decided to kick off its Robotaxi service in this city, and the logo can be seen on the side of the Model Y in the accompanying video.

Texas Regulations

Texas has quite lenient laws regarding self-driving cars, requiring minimal extra regulations compared to those for standard vehicles, such as basic registration and insurance.

The Model Y can be seen waiting for pedestrians to cross before turning left, notably without a driver inside. Tesla has been testing these robotaxis with an employee in the back seat as a precaution. Musk mentioned that this Model Y operates on a different version of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) software that other Tesla cars use.

Future Software Updates

In the future, the FSD version that the Robotaxi fleet will utilize, referred to by Tesla as “unsupervised FSD,” is expected to integrate with the main software that gets updated over the air, allowing all vehicles to join the platform.

Later this year, Tesla plans to roll out a new version of the FSD that aims to increase parameters by four times while ensuring “super frugal use of memory bandwidth” and only caching what’s necessary.

Collaboration with Local Authorities

Tesla has been actively training the police and first responders in Austin on how to handle situations involving its self-driving cars. The company plans to start cautiously, rolling out around ten Model Y units within a geofenced area, similar to Waymo’s operations.

There will also be human operators available for riders to contact in case any issues arise, resembling Waymo’s approach. The only remaining detail is the pricing for rides with Tesla’s Robotaxi service, which is expected to be revealed on or before the June 22 launch.

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Key Takeaways

1. Tesla will launch its first robotaxi service in Austin on June 12, allowing rides in fully autonomous vehicles without drivers.
2. The new Model Y has completed initial journeys with fully autonomous driving (FSD) activated, but public access starts on June 12.
3. The robotaxi feature will be available in the Tesla app, with pricing details to be announced at launch, potentially offering lower fares than competitors due to the absence of drivers.
4. If testing continues to be accident-free, Tesla plans to expand its robotaxi service to more cities later this year.
5. By 2026, Tesla will allow vehicle owners to rent their cars to the robotaxi fleet, with Tesla taking a commission similar to ride-sharing companies like Uber.

People in Austin, as well as visitors arriving after June 12, will have the chance to try out the first Tesla robotaxi service, which has been in development for several years. These won’t just be test drives; the vehicles that Tesla will put on the streets will be operating without drivers.

The Model Y’s First Steps

Elon Musk has confirmed that the new Model Y has successfully completed its initial journeys with fully autonomous driving (FSD) activated, with a Tesla staff member onboard in Austin. However, the public will have to wait until June 12 to use the Tesla robotaxi ride-share feature.

Testing the Driverless Experience

When asked if visitors to Austin could summon and experience a driverless Model Y using unsupervised FSD, Musk answered positively. The robotaxi option will be available in the Tesla app once the service launches, and that’s when the pricing for rides will be revealed.

It’s still unclear how the pricing of Tesla’s robotaxi services will stack up against competitors like Uber and Lyft. However, since there will be no driver and only around ten Model Y pilot vehicles owned and operated by Tesla, it is likely the fares will be lower.

Future Expansion Plans

Musk noted that the recent days of testing a driverless Model Y in Austin have been accident-free, and if everything continues smoothly, Tesla intends to broaden its robotaxi service to additional cities later this year. By 2026, the platform will be accessible to vehicle owners who wish to rent out their cars to the robotaxi fleet for various durations in order to earn money, with Tesla taking a cut similar to Uber’s model.

In June, Tesla is also set to make its first driverless delivery of a brand-new Model Y directly from the factory to its owner, as shared by Elon. This delivery will likely occur in Austin again, since Texas has relatively lenient regulations concerning self-driving vehicles compared to those that have a human driver.

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Key Takeaways

1. Tesla’s Robotaxi service will launch with the Model Y, not the more affordable Cybercab or Model 3.
2. The autonomous Model Y will use the unsupervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature without changes to the existing vehicle design.
3. Updated Model Y cars will drive directly to customers’ homes once assembled, starting in Austin in June.
4. The rideshare app for the Robotaxi service is being tested with staff drivers, logging over 15,000 miles in Austin and San Francisco.
5. Tesla plans to expand the Robotaxi service to multiple U.S. cities by the end of this year.

Tesla is set to launch its Robotaxi rideshare service, starting with the widely popular Model Y rather than its more cost-effective options like the Cybercab or Model 3.

Details on the Model Y

According to Elon Musk, the only distinction between the upcoming autonomous Model Y vehicles and the current ones is that they will operate using the unsupervised version of the Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature on public streets. “To be clear, the Model Y that we are talking about in being autonomous in Austin in June are the Model Ys we make currently, there’s no change to it,” Musk stated.

Right now, the freshly manufactured Model Y cars do employ unsupervised FSD, but this is limited to transporting them from the factory to the designated parking areas where they await pickup by delivery trucks.

Future Plans for the Model Y

Musk assured that soon the Model Y, alongside other new Tesla models equipped with the HW4/AI4 camera systems and computers, will be able to drive straight to customers’ homes once they are assembled and configured.

He reiterated that the updated Model Y is “currently on track to be able to do paid rides fully autonomously in Austin in June and then in many other cities in the US by the end of this year.”

Testing the Rideshare App

The refreshed Model Y is Tesla’s latest offering, making it an ideal candidate to be the first vehicle in its robotaxi initiative, for which the Tesla AI team recently showcased a ride-hailing app in a video.

The team is testing the app and refining the new rideshare features using the 2026 Model Y with staff drivers, traveling back and forth in Austin and San Francisco, and has already logged over 15,000 miles on the robotaxi platform.

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