Tesla's RoboTaxi Network Goes Live in Austin

An Exclusive First Look

On June 22nd, Tesla flips the switch on its autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin, Texas. No driver. No steering wheel in use. Just you, a guest, and a Model Y navigating city streets on its own.

The moment marks more than a product launch — it’s the first real shot at mass-market autonomy. The invite-only program is live, the app is ready, and the cars are rolling. But this isn’t about tech alone. It’s about trust, scale, and whether Tesla’s bold, camera-only strategy can outmaneuver the sensor-heavy competition.

In this report:

• What Tesla’s rollout in Austin actually looks like

• How its strategy differs from Waymo and Cruise

• The real reasons for safety monitors and camera restrictions

• The privacy-first design that could reshape industry norms

• Why the manufacturing model is Tesla’s secret weapon

The future of transportation doesn’t start in 10 years. It starts this Sunday — in a sun-drenched neighborhood in Austin, Texas.