On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Tesla launched an invitation-only test run of its highly anticipated robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, marking a bold step toward a driverless future. Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, announced the “tentative” launch date with a focus on safety, stating on X, “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.” The event generated significant buzz, with Tesla’s stock surging 8.2 percent on Monday as Wall Street analysts praised the company’s pivot toward autonomous technology, positioning Tesla as a technology stock rather than a traditional automaker. Yet, within a day, social media posts and critical reports raised concerns about traffic violations and safety issues, casting a shadow over the initial excitement. As Tesla pushes the boundaries of autonomous driving, the test run highlights both the transformative potential and the challenges that lie ahead.
The Promise of Tesla’s Robotaxi Vision
The Austin test run represents a milestone for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) program, a technology years in the making. Musk’s vision of a fully autonomous ride-hailing service could revolutionise transportation, reducing costs, improving accessibility, and reshaping urban mobility. The robotaxis, built on unmodified Tesla vehicles like the Model Y, aim to deliver passengers without a driver behind the wheel, a feat Musk claims will extend to vehicles driving themselves from the factory to customers’ homes as early as June 28.
Wall Street analysts are optimistic about Tesla’s trajectory. Dan Ives of Wedbush described the launch as “the start of Tesla’s autonomous future and a new growth chapter,” reflecting confidence in the company’s ability to scale its technology. The test run, limited to 10-20 geofenced vehicles, showcased Tesla’s ambition to lead the autonomous vehicle race, with early reports highlighting smooth rides and a futuristic experience for select passengers. Social media buzz included videos of sleek Tesla robotaxis navigating Austin streets, complete with a “Robotaxi” logo, fuelling excitement among Tesla enthusiasts and investors alike.
The potential benefits are immense. Autonomous taxis could reduce traffic accidents caused by human error, lower transportation costs, and provide mobility solutions for those unable to drive. Tesla’s focus on electric vehicles also aligns with sustainability goals, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ride-hailing services. For Austin, a tech-forward city, the test run signals a future where driverless cars could integrate seamlessly into daily life.
Safety Concerns and Critical Errors
Despite the enthusiasm, the test run faced immediate scrutiny. Social media posts on X highlighted apparent traffic violations by Tesla robotaxis, prompting journalists like Laurence Iliff of Automotive News to investigate. Dan O’Dowd, a vocal critic of Tesla’s self-driving technology and CEO of The Dawn Project, pointed to two social media videos showing what he called “safety-critical errors” during the first day of operations. In a post on X, O’Dowd stated, “Such errors shouldn’t occur in just one day of driving by a limited number of autonomous vehicles.”
One particularly alarming incident involved a Tesla vehicle, tested with its FSD system, failing to stop for a child-sized dummy at a school bus during a demo, as reported by CBS Austin. O’Dowd’s tests, conducted on June 13, showed Tesla’s FSD 13.2.9 running down child mannequins in eight consecutive trials while illegally passing a stopped school bus, raising serious questions about the system’s reliability. These incidents echoed broader concerns about Tesla’s FSD technology, which has faced delays and criticism for years.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) took notice, telling Bloomberg it was aware of the incidents and was in contact with Tesla to gather more information. This regulatory attention underscores the challenges Tesla faces in proving its technology is safe for public roads. Critics, including seven Texas Democratic legislators, called for a halt to the robotaxi operations days before the launch, citing “safety concerns.” Posts on X also suggested Tesla may have struggled to provide evidence that its remote operators could intervene in a timely manner or that its hardware was fully capable of autonomous operation.
A Balanced Perspective
Tesla’s robotaxi test run is a bold leap toward an autonomous future, but it’s not without growing pains. The excitement surrounding the launch is palpable—Musk’s vision of driverless cars straight from the factory is a game-changer, and Wall Street’s enthusiasm reflects confidence in Tesla’s technological prowess. The 8.2 percent stock surge on Monday underscores the market’s belief in Tesla as a leader in autonomous innovation. For Austin residents and tech enthusiasts, the sight of a robotaxi navigating city streets is a thrilling glimpse of what’s to come.
However, the reported safety issues cannot be ignored. The social media videos and O’Dowd’s criticisms highlight real risks, particularly in scenarios involving pedestrians or complex traffic situations. The NHTSA’s involvement signals that Tesla must address these concerns transparently to gain public and regulatory trust. While Musk’s emphasis on being “super paranoid about safety” is reassuring, the early incidents suggest that Tesla’s FSD system may still require significant refinement.
Analysts like Liam Denning of Bloomberg noted that the limited rollout “fell far short of the company’s pitch of a generalized, scalable autonomous solution,” indicating that Tesla’s technology may not yet be ready for widespread deployment. Additionally, posts on X questioned the readiness of Tesla’s robotaxis, with some alleging the presence of Tesla employees in the vehicles during tests, suggesting a lack of full autonomy.
Looking Ahead
Tesla’s robotaxi test run in Austin is a pivotal moment for the company and the autonomous vehicle industry. The excitement is undeniable, but so are the challenges. As Tesla works to scale its robotaxi service, it must address safety concerns head-on, ensuring its FSD technology can handle real-world complexities without compromising public safety. The company’s ability to respond to criticism, refine its systems, and satisfy regulators will determine whether the robotaxi becomes a transformative success or a cautionary tale.
For now, the Austin test run is a fascinating, if imperfect, step forward. As Musk himself noted, “The date could shift” if safety isn’t assured—a reminder that the road to autonomy is as much about caution as it is about ambition. Whether Tesla can deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world is watching closely.
- Iliff, L. (2025, June 24). Tesla robotaxi test run in Austin draws safety concerns after social media posts show traffic violations. Automotive News.
- Bloomberg News. (2025, June 24). NHTSA reviewing Tesla robotaxi incidents in Austin. Bloomberg.
- O’Dowd, D. (2025, June 22). Post on X: “Such errors shouldn’t occur in just one day of driving by a limited number of autonomous vehicles.” Retrieved from X platform.
- Musk, E. (2025, June). Post on X: “We are being super paranoid about safety, so the date could shift.” Retrieved from X platform.
- CBS Austin. (2025, June 13). Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system fails to stop for child-sized dummy in school bus test. CBS Austin.
- Denning, L. (2025, June 24). Tesla’s robotaxi rollout: Ambitious but incomplete. Bloomberg Opinion.
- Ives, D. (2025, June 23). Wedbush analyst note: Tesla’s autonomous future begins. Wedbush Securities.
