(Credit: Tim Goessman/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been talking about autonomy for years, and the company's self-driving EVs finally hit the road this weekend in Austin, Texas. At launch, a few handpicked influencers were invited to test out the service, which currently involves between 10 and 20 Model Ys with "Robotaxi" emblazoned on the side.
Each vehicle can only travel within certain boundaries designed to avoid Austin's airports and particularly complex intersections around the city. Another big restriction is that passengers cannot be alone in the vehicles.
Though Musk previously said rides from its robotaxis would be unsupervised, Tesla is including what it calls "safety monitors" in the front passenger seat. The employee only interacts with the customer at the start of the ride to ensure they’re the right person, and then they remain silent throughout the trip, unless there’s an emergency, in which they can use the vehicle's kill switch.
When it first launched, Rival Waymo also included a human safety monitor, but it's now offering autonomous rides in several cities, including Austin, via a partnership with Uber.
With safety monitors involved, passengers testing out Tesla robotaxis in Austin must sit in the backseat. Influencers have shared shots of the app, which looks like the map on rival ride-hailing services, including recommendations for what to do nearby. For example, one person found that you could put in the word "food," and it would suggest local restaurants.
All influencers who have experienced the rides so far have done so through their Tesla accounts, meaning their personal media preferences are also automatically available in the car. For example, their Spotify profiles connected directly, allowing them to play music of their choice.
All journeys in the testing phase cost $4.20, which is likely one of Musk's marijuana references that are often made in his products. The price will probably be higher when the service expands.
The brand has also included an Easter egg when you try to "tip" the self-driving cars. After a ride finishes, the app asks for a review with a choice of five lightning bolts, and there's a place to leave feedback. If you then press on the "Leave a tip" button, you'll be greeted with a hedgehog in a leather jacket with sunglasses on, with the text "Just kidding."
There’s a central screen in the back of the car that you need to press to start a trip when you've entered the vehicle. This can also be done from within the app, too. From the central screen, you can also choose options like “pull over,” “stop in lane,” and a section called “support.”
One streamer, Chuck Cook, accessed the support button and found that it took around two minutes to connect to a real person.
It’s unclear when the general public will be able to use Tesla's service or where the company will next go for its rollout. The brand put up a website on Sunday where you can sign up for updates on your city. Tesla previously tested its self-driving cars in San Francisco.
In Texas, the state has now required that all self-driving cars have a dedicated permit, effective Sept. 1. Right now, the safety monitors ensure Tesla won't be impacted by this law when it comes into effect, but it may cause some headaches in the coming months.