Tesla launches a Robotaxi service

In June 2025, Tesla launched a paid Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas — driverless-capable Model Ys summoned by app, initially with safety monitors aboard as the system was validated in public. It was the first commercial step in a vision Musk had pursued for years: turning Tesla's fleet into an autonomous ride-hailing network.

Tesla also developed the Cybercab, a purpose-built two-seat autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, with production beginning in 2026. The robotaxi program steadily expanded toward additional cities.

The autonomy push is genuinely hard and Tesla's timelines have repeatedly slipped — full unsupervised self-driving for customer cars remains a work in progress. But moving from concept to a real, paid, on-road robotaxi service is a concrete milestone that many competitors have spent vastly more time and money to reach.