Tesla is moving forward with its long-awaited robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, next month.
CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the debut will involve a small fleet of Model Y vehicles.
According to Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, the launch is still on track.
Jonas recently visited Tesla’s Palo Alto office and provided insights into the plan.
He noted that the initial rollout will include only 10 to 20 vehicles.
This aligns with Tesla’s previous statements during its April 22 earnings call, where the company described the launch as a “pilot” program.
Service Will Be Invite-Only and Include Teleoperation Support
Tesla’s robotaxi service will be invite-only, meaning the general public won’t have immediate access.
In addition to a limited fleet, Jonas said Tesla will rely on extensive teleoperation support.
“There will be plenty of tele-ops to ensure safety levels,” he reported.
He added, “We can’t screw up,” highlighting the company’s focus on safety and performance.
Teleoperators are remote employees who can assist a robotaxi when its autonomous system encounters challenges.
These human operators can provide input or possibly take over aspects of the vehicle’s control.
How Tesla’s Approach Differs From Waymo and Zoox
Tesla’s teleoperation system appears to allow more direct vehicle control than competitors like Waymo or Zoox.
Waymo, for example, does not permit remote operators to steer or brake.
Instead, they offer environmental context to the vehicle’s AI when it gets stuck.
When blocked by emergency vehicles or complex scenarios, a Waymo remote worker might be asked if the vehicle’s path is fully obstructed.
That input helps the autonomous system make informed decisions on how to proceed.
Zoox uses a similar hands-off approach where the AI remains the primary controller, even with remote assistance.
Questions Around Safety and Remote Control
It’s still unclear how much control Tesla’s teleoperators will have in the upcoming pilot.
There have been discussions around using remote operators as safety drivers.
A Tesla job listing for a software engineer on the “Teleoperation team” notes the company is working on technology to remotely access and control vehicles.
This suggests a more hands-on approach may be in development.
The idea of remote-controlled cars has sparked debates within the autonomous vehicle community.
While there is general agreement on using human monitors for edge cases, full teleoperation raises safety concerns.
Ex-Waymo CEO John Krafcik warned of risks associated with remote control.
He noted that there are “safety risks” in such a model.
A study from Coventry University found even a 300–500 millisecond delay can make it difficult to safely control a vehicle, even at low speeds.
Tesla’s History of Robotaxi Delays
Tesla’s robotaxi program has faced multiple delays over the years.
Elon Musk has made bold claims about autonomy that didn’t materialize on schedule.
In 2019, he predicted there would be over a million robotaxis by the end of 2020.
That milestone was missed.
In 2023, Musk acknowledged his overly ambitious timeline by saying, “I always bite off more than I chew,” in an X post.
He added that he often ends up “like a squirrel that ate too much.”
Final Thoughts
Tesla’s invite-only robotaxi pilot in Austin marks a cautious but significant step toward autonomous ride services.
The inclusion of heavy teleoperation reflects Tesla’s intent to prioritise safety and ensure a successful launch.
As the industry watches closely, questions remain about how much control remote operators will have and how safe such a model can be.
The next few months may provide the answers.