❓WHAT HAPPENED: Tesla is planning to expand its robotaxi service to San Francisco, California, despite ongoing technical issues and regulatory hurdles, with “human safety operators” in the driver’s seats.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, and its head of artificial intelligence (AI) software, Ashok Elluswamy, along with California regulatory agencies.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The rollout is planned for this week in San Francisco, following an earlier, limited launch in Austin, Texas.
💬KEY QUOTE: “We will launch the service with a person in the driver’s seat just to expedite while we wait for regulatory approval.” – Ashok Elluswamy
🎯IMPACT: Tesla faces significant challenges as it seeks regulatory approval and attempts to address technical issues in its push for autonomous ride-hailing services.
Tesla is preparing to expand its robotaxi service to San Francisco, following its limited and problematic launch in Austin, Texas. According to an internal memo, the rollout could begin as soon as this week, with plans to cover a large portion of the Bay Area.
However, Tesla will deploy a so-called human safety operator in the driver’s seat, indicating the company is not yet confident in its autonomous technology or is unable to secure full regulatory approval. Tesla’s head of artificial intelligence (AI) software, Ashok Elluswamy, acknowledged the limited rollout during an earnings report earlier this week, stating: “We will launch the service with a person in the driver’s seat just to expedite while we wait for regulatory approval.”
The company faces mounting pressure as it attempts to recover from declining revenues and global sales. Elon Musk has expressed ambitions to sell “millions” of humanoid robots and establish a widespread robotaxi service, but technical issues and regulatory barriers remain significant obstacles.
In Austin, Tesla’s robotaxis have encountered issues such as running stop signs, swerving into incorrect lanes, and dropping passengers in unsafe locations. Despite these problems, Tesla is pushing forward with its plans, though it has yet to apply for a commercial robotaxi permit in California.
While the California Public Utilities Commission has granted Tesla a permit to transport employees, broader approval for a commercial service is still pending. Tesla is also seeking to expand its robotaxi operations in Florida and Arizona, where regulations are less stringent.
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