Tesla's June robotaxi deadline looms as political backlash builds over Elon Musk

Core Viewpoint - Tesla has yet to deliver on its long-promised fully autonomous robotaxi service, with its current Full Self-Driving (FSD) system being only partially automated and requiring driver supervision [1][10]. Group 1: Current Technology and Features - Tesla's FSD system, marketed as Full Self-Driving in the U.S. and "intelligent assisted driving" in China, utilizes cameras and software for features like automatic navigation and braking [1]. - User manuals emphasize that FSD is a "hands-on feature" requiring constant driver attention, yet many users operate it hands-free, ignoring these warnings [2]. Group 2: Safety Concerns and Controversies - The FSD system has faced scrutiny due to incidents involving injuries and fatalities while using Tesla's Autopilot and FSD systems [3]. - Experts have noted that while FSD performs well in many scenarios, it can also fail unpredictably, posing significant safety risks [12]. Group 3: Market Performance and Investor Sentiment - Tesla's stock experienced a 36% decline in the first quarter of 2025, marking its steepest drop since 2022, alongside a 13% decrease in vehicle deliveries year-over-year [8]. - Anticipation for product unveilings and a potential robotaxi launch in Austin could improve investor sentiment, as analysts hope these developments will boost the company's share price [9]. Group 4: Expert Opinions and Future Outlook - Some automotive experts express skepticism about the readiness of FSD for unsupervised use, with no evidence suggesting it will be ready by the promised June timeline [11]. - Despite advancements over the past three years, experts believe that the system still has significant limitations that need to be addressed before it can operate safely without supervision [11][12].