Austin’s much-anticipated robotaxi fleet from Tesla is set to launch next month with a focus on safety and teleoperation, as revealed in a recent report by Morgan Stanley following a meeting with the electric vehicle company.
Morgan Stanley, known for its positive outlook on Tesla, particularly its analyst Adam Jonas, who is often referred to as a ‘Tesla cheerleader’ in the financial markets, has a history of aligning with Elon Musk’s vision for the company.
During a recent meeting with Tesla, Jonas hinted at the use of teleoperations in the upcoming Austin robotaxi rollout to ensure high safety standards, stating that “we can’t screw up.”
The term ‘tele ops’ refers to teleoperations, where Tesla employees will have remote access to the vehicles to supervise and control them if needed.
Previous reports from Electrek have highlighted Tesla’s recruitment efforts for a teleoperation team ahead of the Austin robotaxi launch, indicating the company’s focus on remote supervision for the fleet.
Unlike Tesla’s initial plans for unsupervised Full Self-Driving in consumer vehicles, the Austin robotaxi fleet will consist of 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles offering ride-hailing services in a controlled area of Austin, Texas. Supervised by remote employees, the service is expected to launch in June.
Our Analysis
The upcoming Tesla robotaxi fleet in Austin presents a step forward in autonomous driving technology, albeit with remote supervision. While some may view this as a positive development, the ultimate goal of fully autonomous, driverless vehicles remains elusive.
It is essential for Tesla to deliver on its promise of self-driving capabilities in consumer vehicles without the need for supervision, a feat that has yet to be achieved. The focus on the Austin robotaxi project may serve as a distraction from this larger goal.
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