Tesla(US:TSLA) 3 6 Ke·2025-06-24 00:16Core Viewpoint - Tesla's Robotaxi service officially launched on June 22, marking a significant milestone in the company's autonomous driving ambitions after nearly a decade of development [1][4]. Group 1: Robotaxi Launch Details - The initial rollout involves a limited fleet of 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles operating in a restricted area of South Austin, Texas, with service hours from 6 AM to midnight [2][4]. - Each vehicle is equipped with a safety driver, contrary to previous statements by Elon Musk about fully autonomous operation without personnel [6][8]. - The service achieved 112 rides in 13 minutes, covering nearly 500 miles, indicating strong initial demand despite system limitations [8]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Tesla's Robotaxi aims to operate at a significantly lower cost than competitors like Waymo, targeting a cost of $0.20 per mile compared to Waymo's $1.60 per mile [8][9]. - The hardware cost for Tesla's Robotaxi is estimated to be 20-30% lower than Waymo's, leveraging a vision-based system without lidar [9][11]. - The Robotaxi model allows Tesla vehicle owners to earn income by participating in the service when their cars are idle, potentially leading to a scalable business model [9]. Group 3: Market Growth Projections - Goldman Sachs projects the North American Robotaxi market will grow from approximately $300 million in 2025 to $7 billion by 2030, capturing 8% of the shared mobility market [10][11]. - In contrast, the Chinese Robotaxi market is expected to expand from $54 million in 2025 to $12 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate exceeding 96% [10][11]. - The disparity in growth rates is attributed to lower hardware costs in China, facilitating faster commercialization of Robotaxi services [11][13]. Group 4: Industry Context and Challenges - Despite the positive reception of Tesla's Robotaxi, industry experts caution that the company faces significant challenges in technology, management, regulation, and ethics [4][10]. - Tesla's recent financial performance shows a decline in revenue and vehicle deliveries, indicating potential vulnerabilities amid increasing competition from companies like BYD [16][18]. - The successful launch of Robotaxi is seen as a pivotal moment for Tesla, potentially reshaping its business model and growth trajectory in the electric vehicle market [18].