Latest news with #Austin-area


Business Insider
17 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Tesla (TSLA) Invites a Small Group of People to Test Its Robotaxi Service
EV maker Tesla (TSLA) has started inviting a small group of people to try out its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The test could begin as early as Sunday, according to Reuters. Riders must be at least 18 years old, and a Tesla employee will sit in the front passenger seat during each ride. Furthermore, the test will use about 10 Model Y SUVs running on Tesla's Full Self-Driving software. Those who receive the invitation can download Tesla's Robotaxi app to call a ride, and are asked to share their feedback on the experience. Confident Investing Starts Here: This trial is important for Tesla as the company shifts its focus from building affordable electric cars to working on robotics and artificial intelligence. Unsurprisingly, CEO Elon Musk says that safety is the top priority, with humans monitoring the cars remotely. He believes that the robotaxi service can grow quickly if the trial goes well. Still, experts are worried about Tesla's approach, which relies solely on cameras and AI, rather than incorporating additional sensors like lidar or radar. These worries grow in conditions like fog, heavy rain, or bright sunlight. As a result, some lawmakers and safety experts want more caution, which led a group of Austin-area Democratic lawmakers to ask Tesla to wait until September, when new state rules for autonomous vehicles take effect. It is worth noting that self-driving services are expensive and risky, and companies like Tesla, Waymo (GOOGL), and Zoox (AMZN) have already faced federal investigations and recalls after accidents. What Is the Prediction for Tesla Stock? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock based on 14 Buys, 12 Holds, and nine Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TSLA price target of $286.14 per share implies 11% downside risk.


NDTV
a day ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Democratic Texas Lawmakers Urge Tesla To Delay Robotaxi Launch Until New Laws
A group of Democratic Texas lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay its much-anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin until September, when a new autonomous-driving law is scheduled to take effect. The group of Austin-area lawmakers said in the letter sent on Wednesday that delaying the launch, which CEO Elon Musk said could "tentatively" happen this Sunday, "is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations." If Tesla decides to move forward with a launch this month, the lawmakers asked that Tesla respond with "detailed information" demonstrating how Tesla will comply with the new state law when it launches. Musk last year staked Tesla's future on autonomous-driving technology as it pivoted away from chasing rapid growth in electric-vehicle sales. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. Also Read - Fixing Execution Gaps Could Help Indian Auto Industry Boom: Report It is unclear how much weight a letter from Democratic lawmakers will carry in a state where Republicans hold the governorship and majorities in both legislative chambers. Musk announced in January that Tesla would be offering "autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid robots the company has yet to deliver. Current Texas law allows autonomous-vehicle firms to operate their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicles meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new legislation, which passed the Texas legislature last month and has not been signed by the governor, would for the first time require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for authorization to operate in the state. It would give state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public." Firms are also required to provide the state information on how police and first responders can deal with the vehicles in emergency situations. Musk and Tesla have given few details about their plans for the Austin robotaxi launch. The CEO has said the Austin rollout would begin with 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, and that the company will begin operating in 'only the parts of Austin that we consider to be the safest.' Musk and Tesla have not said who the passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, where in Austin they will operate or how extensive remote monitoring and operation of the vehicles will be.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla asked to delay robotaxi launch by Democratic Texas lawmakers
A group of Democratic Texas lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay its much-anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin until September, when a new autonomous-driving law is scheduled to take effect. The group of Austin-area lawmakers said in the letter sent on Wednesday that delaying the launch, which CEO Elon Musk said could "tentatively" happen this Sunday, "is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations." If Tesla decides to move forward with a launch this month, the lawmakers asked that Tesla respond with "detailed information" demonstrating how Tesla will comply with the new state law when it launches. Musk last year staked Tesla's future on autonomous-driving technology as it pivoted away from chasing rapid growth in electric-vehicle sales. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. It is unclear how much weight a letter from Democratic lawmakers will carry in a state where Republicans hold the governorship and majorities in both legislative chambers. Musk announced in January that Tesla would be offering "autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid robots the company has yet to deliver. Current Texas law allows autonomous-vehicle firms to operate their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicles meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new legislation, which passed the Texas legislature last month and has not been signed by the governor, would for the first time require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for authorization to operate in the state. It would give state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public." Firms are also required to provide the state information on how police and first responders can deal with the vehicles in emergency situations. Musk and Tesla have given few details about their plans for the Austin robotaxi launch. The CEO has said the Austin rollout would begin with 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, and that the company will begin operating in "only the parts of Austin that we consider to be the safest." Musk and Tesla have not said who the passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, where in Austin they will operate or how extensive remote monitoring and operation of the vehicles will be.


Economic Times
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Economic Times
Tesla asked to delay robotaxi launch by Democratic Texas lawmakers
A group of Democratic Texas lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay its much-anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin until September, when a new autonomous-driving law is scheduled to take effect. The group of Austin-area lawmakers said in the letter sent on Wednesday that delaying the launch, which CEO Elon Musk said could "tentatively" happen this Sunday, "is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations." If Tesla decides to move forward with a launch this month, the lawmakers asked that Tesla respond with "detailed information" demonstrating how Tesla will comply with the new state law when it launches. Musk last year staked Tesla's future on autonomous-driving technology as it pivoted away from chasing rapid growth in electric-vehicle sales. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the letter. It is unclear how much weight a letter from Democratic lawmakers will carry in a state where Republicans hold the governorship and majorities in both legislative chambers. Musk announced in January that Tesla would be offering "autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid robots the company has yet to deliver. Current Texas law allows autonomous-vehicle firms to operate their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicles meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new legislation, which passed the Texas legislature last month and has not been signed by the governor, would for the first time require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for authorization to operate in the state. It would give state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public." Firms are also required to provide the state information on how police and first responders can deal with the vehicles in emergency situations. Musk and Tesla have given few details about their plans for the Austin robotaxi launch. The CEO has said the Austin rollout would begin with 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, and that the company will begin operating in "only the parts of Austin that we consider to be the safest." Musk and Tesla have not said who the passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, where in Austin they will operate or how extensive remote monitoring and operation of the vehicles will be.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tesla asked to delay robotaxi launch by Democratic Texas lawmakers
Musk announced in January that Tesla would be offering "autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid robots the company has yet to deliver. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A group of Democratic Texas lawmakers has asked Tesla to delay its much-anticipated robotaxi launch in Austin until September, when a new autonomous-driving law is scheduled to take group of Austin-area lawmakers said in the letter sent on Wednesday that delaying the launch, which CEO Elon Musk said could "tentatively" happen this Sunday, "is in the best interest of both public safety and building public trust in Tesla's operations."If Tesla decides to move forward with a launch this month, the lawmakers asked that Tesla respond with "detailed information" demonstrating how Tesla will comply with the new state law when it last year staked Tesla's future on autonomous-driving technology as it pivoted away from chasing rapid growth in electric-vehicle did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the is unclear how much weight a letter from Democratic lawmakers will carry in a state where Republicans hold the governorship and majorities in both legislative announced in January that Tesla would be offering "autonomous ride-hailing for money in Austin, in June," and since then the Austin rollout has been closely watched by investors and analysts - many of whom attribute the majority of Tesla's stock market value to hopes for robotaxis and humanoid robots the company has yet to Texas law allows autonomous-vehicle firms to operate their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicles meet basic registration and insurance requirements. The new legislation, which passed the Texas legislature last month and has not been signed by the governor, would for the first time require autonomous-vehicle companies to apply for authorization to operate in the would give state authorities the power to revoke permits if they deem a driverless vehicle "endangers the public." Firms are also required to provide the state information on how police and first responders can deal with the vehicles in emergency and Tesla have given few details about their plans for the Austin robotaxi launch. The CEO has said the Austin rollout would begin with 10 or 20 Model Y vehicles, and that the company will begin operating in "only the parts of Austin that we consider to be the safest." Musk and Tesla have not said who the passengers will be, how Tesla will charge for rides, where in Austin they will operate or how extensive remote monitoring and operation of the vehicles will be.