Tesla invites Robotaxi Early Access riders, service begins on 22nd June

Tesla (TSLA) has finally confirmed the Robotaxi service launch date, which is 22nd June. The automaker started sending event invite emails to selected Early Access riders.

These Early Access riders are almost from the same group of original Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta testers. Since these beta testers already have experience using FSD and are comfortable with the system, it's better to have them try the new Unsupervised Robotaxi service before the public.

Although Elon Musk has been critical of geofenced autonomous cars and robotaxi services in the past, Tesla is beginning its Robotaxi service in a geofenced area in Austin, Texas. The reason is safety.

"We are being super paranoid about safety," Elon Musk stated in his previous Robotaxi schedule update.

Here's Tesla’s official Robotaxi service invite email in full text:

The Future is Now! You’re invited to Early Access of Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin, TX!

As an Early Access rider, you can be among the first to use our new Robotaxi App and experience an autonomous ride within our geofenced area in Austin. Through this exclusive preview, you’ll have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback on our Robotaxi service.

While the Early Access phase is invitation-only, you are permitted to bring up to one additional guest, so long as they are 18+ and you remain present with them for the duration of the ride. A Tesla Safety Monitor sitting in the front right passenger seat will accompany you on your trip.

Tesla laid down the following SOPs and terms of use of the Robotaxi service for the Early Access riders and their accompanying guests:

The Vehicle

• Riders are prohibited from sitting in the front-left seat (i.e., a driver’s customary seating position) but may sit in another available seat.
• The number of passengers may not exceed two.
• Please do not tamper with, modify, damage, or physically manipulate any equipment or component installed in or on the Robotaxi, or otherwise do anything that could interfere with, disrupt, negatively affect, or inhibit the Robotaxi’s proper operation. This includes attempting to take control of the vehicle via the steering wheel and/or attempting to activate other driving controls.

This email also reveals that Tesla will be launching a totally new app for its Robotaxi service. This app will be separate from the Tesla mobile app that owners use for connecting to their cars and performing various actions like pre-heating and cooling remotely.

As the Tesla Robotaxi service spreads to other parts of Austin and later on launches in California, the Robotaxi app would become the Uber of the future. However, the difference will be huge as Tesla’s ride-hailing service will be autonomous.

According to Tesla CEO Elon Musk, by 2030, the Tesla Robotaxi service can add a 10X value to the company.

Elon Musk’s vision of an autonomous future and the growth of Tesla’s Robotaxi service depend significantly on the success of the Robotaxi service launch event on June 22nd. So, stay tuned as we provide you with exciting and interesting updates on the Tesla Robotaxi service launch.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Note: This article was published earlier on Tesla Oracle. Author: Iqtidar Ali.