Due to the implementation of a new law, Texas lawmakers have formally asked Tesla to postpone its scheduled Robotaxi launch in Austin by a few months.
Elon Musk finds it to be a boon.
As we previously reported, the goalpost for Tesla has been moved to Austin, Texas, for the Robotaxi debut, which is now “tentatively” set for June 22.
After years of missing deadlines and broken promises, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has previously called the company’s upcoming launch “not really self-driving“. However, Musk is using the new approach to declare a victory in autonomous driving.
Musk has been talking about offering the service in Austin this summer since last year. He had hinted that it would take place in June for the past few months, and this week the date of June 22nd was formally announced.
Musk would have to meet the deadline, which would be unprecedented for Tesla in terms of its roadmap for autonomous driving, in order to claim his victory.
But Texas lawmakers recently granted Tesla a reprieve.
Seven members of the Texas House and Senate from Austin have signed a letter requesting that Tesla postpone its debut until September:
As members of the Austin delegation in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives, we are formally requesting that Tesla delay autonomous robotaxi operations until the new law takes effect on September I, 2025. We believe this is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla’s operations. If Tesla opts to proceed with the June 22, 2025, launch date, we request that you respond to this letter with detailed information demonstrating that Tesla will be compliant with the new law upon the launch of driverless operations in Austin.
The new law upholds the few limitations that Texas has had for autonomous driving. However, the most recent version of the law makes reference to SAE autonomous driving levels and also establishes criteria for adhering to federal norms.
Legislators don’t seem to be pressuring Tesla to postpone the debut for the time being. They are requesting a postponement till the new framework is established in a more courteous manner.
For Tesla and Musk, this seems to be a blessing. Even though the program’s scope is much smaller than what Tesla has promised for years, and Waymo has been doing exactly what Tesla is trying to do for years, it seems like Tesla is struggling to fulfil its promises.
It seems that Tesla has merely moved the “safety driver” to the passenger seat with a kill button for optics, as we previously reported. Testing without a safety driver has been incredibly limited based on sightings.
Instead of claiming that it is not ready, Tesla can now argue that it must postpone the launch in order to appease authorities.
Additionally, the NHTSA set a deadline for Tesla to respond to a number of enquiries regarding its intended Robotaxi launch in Austin. Therefore, that might also be involved.
Let’s wait and see if Tesla decides to go or pulls out. I hope they remove it for everyone’s benefit.