Tesla Launches ‘FSD Supervised’ Ride-Hailing Tests for Employees in Austin and Bay Area
Tesla is making significant strides in the realm of autonomous ride-hailing services. The company recently initiated testing of its autonomous ride-hail service with employees in Austin and the Bay Area, paving the way for an anticipated robotaxi launch this summer.
Details of Tesla’s Autonomous Ride-Hail Testing
On Wednesday, Tesla announced on X that its FSD (Full Self-Driving) Supervised ride-hailing service is now operational for a select group of employees in Austin and San Francisco. This testing phase marks a crucial step in the company’s journey toward launching its robotaxi services.
Understanding Full Self-Driving (FSD)
The FSD system is Tesla’s advanced driver assistance technology, available via subscription for Tesla owners. While it can handle several automated driving tasks, it still requires the driver to maintain control by keeping their hands on the wheel.
- Thousands of Tesla owners are currently utilizing supervised FSD for personal rides.
- The service rollout includes a new “Robotaxi” app intended for use by non-Tesla owners.
Employee Testing and Future Plans
As of now, Tesla has completed over 1,500 trips and covered 15,000 miles during this testing phase. This initiative is essential for developing and validating various aspects of the FSD network, including the mobile app, vehicle allocation, and mission control.
Like other autonomous ride-hail services, such as Waymo, Tesla’s approach of ferrying employees before a public launch is a common practice. After extensive driverless testing, Waymo typically opens its services to employees before expanding access to the general public.
Upcoming Launch in Austin
Tesla plans to officially launch its robotaxi service in Austin in June, as confirmed during the company’s first-quarter earnings call. CEO Elon Musk indicated that the initial rollout would feature 10 to 20 vehicles on the first day of service.
While last year’s unveiling of the Cybercab concept generated buzz with its futuristic design—lacking a steering wheel or pedals—Tesla will initially operate its existing vehicle lineup for the robotaxi service.
Innovative Features of the Robotaxi
The promotional video released by Tesla showcases a modified Model 3 sedan equipped with a passenger display screen. This screen provides:
- Estimated time of arrival
- Climate and music controls
- An emergency stop button
It is important to note the disclaimer in the video, stating: “Safety driver is present to supervise and only intervene as necessary. FSD (Supervised) does not make the vehicle autonomous.”
Future of Fully Autonomous Services
In January, Musk mentioned that the Austin launch would not involve drivers inside the cars, relying instead on an upcoming unsupervised version of FSD. However, it remains unclear whether Tesla will begin operations without a safety driver from the outset or adopt a more cautious approach for safety reasons.
Regulatory Landscape in California
In California, autonomous vehicle companies must secure various permits to operate legally. Currently, Tesla holds a permit only for testing with a safety driver. For more information on regulations, you can visit the California DMV’s website.
As Tesla continues to innovate in the autonomous vehicle space, the upcoming Austin launch will be a significant milestone in the evolution of ride-hailing services.
