Tesla’s autonomous driving program is entering a new phase as the company begins testing self-driving Model Y vehicles, with no one behind the wheel, on Austin roads.
In a recent post on X, Musk confirmed the pilot has been underway for “several days,” adding that the service is launching “a month ahead of schedule.”
For the past several days, Tesla has been testing self-driving Model Y cars (no one in driver’s seat) on Austin public streets with no incidents.
A month ahead of schedule.
Next month, first self-delivery from factory to customer.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 29, 2025
According to Bloomberg, Tesla is targeting June 12 as the internal launch date for its robotaxi service. The company’s rapid approach has drawn scrutiny, particularly as it follows only a brief testing period compared to the months or even years typically required for autonomous vehicle trials.
While Musk shared that the early testing phase has occurred “with no incidents,” some public safety concerns remain. A report from Fortune highlighted that local and state agencies in Austin have not yet received key safety documentation from Tesla. This includes emergency procedures in the event of an accident involving a robotaxi. City officials expect to receive this information before the official launch.
Tesla’s robotaxi system is expected to rely on heavy teleoperation, as reported by EV outlet Electrek. This means a human operator will have the ability to control the vehicle remotely, offering oversight while the car operates autonomously.
Despite limited testing time, Texas’s regulatory environment does not currently require additional approval before companies deploy autonomous vehicles. This flexibility allows Tesla to move forward without waiting for a green light from a federal or state agency.
The launch comes at a rocky time for Tesla. The automaker has faced a decline in vehicle deliveries, reporting a 20% drop in Q1 2025, the largest in the company’s history. Stock prices also took a significant hit earlier in the year before stabilizing.
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Adding another layer to the news cycle, Elon Musk recently ended his temporary role with the U.S. government. Musk had been serving as a Special Government Employee in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative under the Trump administration aimed at reducing federal spending. His exit follows internal disagreements over budget policy and marks the end of a controversial chapter in Musk’s public service involvement.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk wrote on X.
Tesla has not released further details about the robotaxi launch, but all signs indicate the company is moving forward with its Austin deployment as planned.
