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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Sunday, July 06, 2025

Two weeks into Tesla's invite-only ride-hailing service, CEO Elon Musk's die-hard fans are amazed, but it's not clear anyone else is.

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... Two weeks into Tesla's robotaxi prototype rollout on the streets of Austin, Texas, a string of viral videos showing apparent mishaps and the severely limited access to the service have caused a cloud of confusion and concern around the vehicles and their safety.

Tesla launched its Austin service on June 22. People who've gotten an invitation, a group that appears to be composed largely of influencers adjacent to and acolytes of CEO Elon Musk, use an app to call for a ride, similar to ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft. Each ride costs $4.20, a cannabis-associated number that Musk frequently uses.

The service is somewhat of a prototype. Although no human is in the driver's seat, each car has a company employee in the front passenger seat who can stop the car with a button if there are safety concerns. Tesla says its experimental software is driving the vehicles. ...


#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-06 01:32 AM | Reply

Wait, what?

Mr Musk's Tesla is putting autonomous vehicles on the streets of Austin, TX... vehicles that can kill people?

And those autonomous vehicles have to ability to kill people?

And... "Tesla says its experimental software is driving the vehicles"

Experimental software?

Am I the only one who sees a possible issue here?

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-06 01:36 AM | Reply

I have to wonder how a Tesla robotaxi might navigate the intersection with the Newtown Flagpole?


:)

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-06 01:44 AM | Reply

It's not the Robotaxi he has been hyping. That's not made yet. It's just a modified standard Tesla trying to get a bite of the market.

#4 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-07-06 02:03 AM | Reply

I wouldn't trust a ride in a driverless car that has cameras only. What if a car in front of you goes through a puddle and douses your camera lenses? Fog? Not enough light? That's something that isn't a concern in robotaxis from providers like WAYMO who use LIDAR. Anyway, I'd much rather see an Uber driver make a few bucks than ride in a robotaxi.

#5 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2025-07-06 02:45 AM | Reply

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