Tesla Robotaxis Are Out

Tesla MANAGED to skyrocket its stock in just one day! Thanks to its highly anticipated Robotaxi, which has started hitting the streets of Austin! BUT… as always with Tesla, things are never that simple.

THE SURGE

This past Monday, Tesla saw its stock jump over 8%!
It was the biggest single-day gain since late May, and all because of a new project that… isn’t exactly new. The long-awaited Robotaxis have officially begun offering paid rides in Austin, Texas. This is a milestone that’s been years in the making.

For now, the service is only available to selected customers and not the general public. However, early reviews have been impressive. Well-known Tesla fan Sawyer Merritt described his ride as “smooth and comfortable,” while analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush said the test rides were “very impressive,” even referring to a potential trillion-dollar valuation in the future.

More technical evaluations also highlighted the vehicles' ability to handle complex situations, such as road construction, speed bumps, and narrow lanes.

But perhaps the most important point? That Tesla built the AI chip and software powering the service entirely in-house! Without relying on Lidar, Radar, or other external systems—only using cameras and artificial intelligence. It’s the ultimate Tesla approach: zero reliance on third parties, total control over everything.

And yes, Tesla claims this technology can be MUCH safer for pedestrians and cyclists. Musk has already promised that safety will exceed that of human drivers. If they can reach the level of Waymo—which already performs over 250,000 rides per week in the U.S.—then we’re talking about an investment game-changer. And maybe Tesla will get there faster than we thought.

THE TWIST

But… here’s where the problems begin. Just a few hours after the paid rides started, the NHTSA announced it had launched an investigation into TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS by Tesla’s Robotaxis. And this opens a whole new chapter of the story.

Videos circulating online show Tesla Robotaxis exceeding speed limits, making abrupt turns, and in some cases entering the wrong lanes! The NHTSA made it clear that it does not pre-approve such technologies and will take all necessary measures if safety issues are found. Investigations are ongoing, and we’ll have to wait and see where it all leads.

Posted Using INLEO