Tesla is making strides in expanding access to its Robotaxi ride-hailing service, with the latest launch taking place in Austin, Texas. The initial group of riders who tested out the driverless platform in late June has now grown, with more Austin-area residents receiving invitations to experience the service firsthand.
The first rides on the Robotaxi platform took place on June 22, and despite a few minor hiccups, the launch was deemed successful. Now, Tesla is looking to gather more data and provide access to those who will utilize the service on a regular basis by expanding availability to Austin and its surrounding areas.
While many of the initial invitees were not local to the Austin area, Tesla is now focusing on inviting more Austin residents to participate in the Early Access Program for the Robotaxi platform. This move is aimed at ensuring stable data collection and maximizing the use of the service by those who live in the area.
In a recent tweet, an Austin local expressed excitement about receiving an invite to try out the Robotaxi service, signaling the beginning of a new phase of testing for Tesla’s driverless platform. With more data being collected during the initial phase of testing, Tesla is now expanding invites to a wider audience, with many recipients stating that they simply filled out an interest form on Tesla’s website to be considered for the program.
As Tesla continues to analyze data from these rides, it will pave the way for further progress and the eventual expansion of the service to more users. With increased success, Tesla plans to reduce the number of Safety Monitors and Supervisors currently overseeing the Robotaxi rides, with CEO Elon Musk hinting at the possibility of transitioning to a fully automated system in the near future.
For those interested in riding in a Tesla Robotaxi, filling out the interest form on Tesla’s website is the best way to gain access to the service. As Tesla refines its driverless technology and expands access to more users, the future of autonomous ride-hailing looks promising.
The original article can be found on TESLARATI: Tesla begins expanding Robotaxi access: here’s how you can ride.