Tesla CEO Elon Musk has set an ambitious goal to eliminate safety monitors from the company’s robotaxis by the end of this year. Musk also announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in 8-10 new markets before the close of 2025.
During an earnings call with investors, Musk stated, “We are expecting to have no safety drivers in at least large parts of Austin by the end of this year.” He emphasized the cautious approach Tesla is taking in deploying this technology due to the intense scrutiny around safety concerns.
Currently, Tesla’s robotaxis in Austin and San Francisco are equipped with safety monitors who have access to a kill switch, a precaution not required by Waymo for its commercial robotaxi service. Musk clarified that the presence of human monitors is mainly due to Tesla’s safety paranoia rather than any technology deficiencies.
Musk further revealed plans to expand Tesla’s robotaxi operations to 8-10 new states, including Nevada, Florida, and Arizona, before the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals. It remains uncertain how many robotaxis Tesla currently operates in Austin, with the company having covered over a quarter million miles in the city.
As Tesla continues to push boundaries in autonomous driving technology, the move to remove safety monitors signifies a significant leap forward in the evolution of self-driving vehicles.
Source: The Verge