Tesla launches robotaxi rides without a human chaperone in Austin

Core Insights - Tesla has launched driverless robotaxi rides in Austin without human safety monitors, marking a significant advancement in its autonomous ride-hailing initiative [1][2] - The initial rollout includes a limited number of unsupervised vehicles, with plans to gradually increase their presence in the fleet [2] - This launch follows Tesla's previous driverless service that was restricted to a small group of users with human supervisors [3] Company Developments - The introduction of unsupervised robotaxis comes after a year of significant advancements for Tesla, including predictions from CEO Elon Musk about the launch of various AI technologies [4] - Following the announcement, Tesla's stock price increased from $438.77 to just under $450, indicating positive market reaction [4] - An earnings call is scheduled for next Wednesday, where updates on Tesla's self-driving programs will be discussed [4]