Elon Musk says a paid robotaxi service launches in June — and Tesla will dip a 'toe in the water' before expanding it

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is set to launch a paid robotaxi service in Austin this summer, with plans for expansion to other US cities by the end of the year [1][7]. Group 1: Robotaxi Service Launch - The robotaxi service will feature Teslas operating autonomously without passengers starting in June [1]. - The service aims to allow Tesla owners to rent out their vehicles, potentially earning up to $30,000 annually [9]. - An Airbnb-like service for vehicle rental is expected to be available next year, pending the resolution of operational issues [10]. Group 2: Autonomous Driving Technology - Tesla has thousands of vehicles currently operating with unsupervised full-self-driving (FSD) at its Fremont factory, with plans to expand testing globally [2]. - The company aims to release unsupervised FSD in several US cities by the end of 2025 and possibly across North America next year [2][7]. - Musk emphasized the importance of achieving a safety level significantly above that of average human drivers, given the scrutiny surrounding autonomous vehicle accidents [4]. Group 3: Regulatory Challenges - Musk noted that regulatory hurdles could impact the timeline for unsupervised FSD deployment, particularly in Europe and China [7][8]. - In Europe, the complexity of regulations may delay the introduction of unsupervised FSD until May of next year [7]. - In China, Tesla faces challenges in training its systems due to restrictions on data collection, relying instead on online resources [8]. Group 4: Safety and Public Perception - The company is prioritizing public safety and aims to ensure that its autonomous vehicles meet high safety standards before wider deployment [4]. - Historical incidents involving autonomous vehicles from other companies highlight the potential risks and public scrutiny associated with this technology [5][6].