Tesla launches autonomous taxi service in Texas: Musk tests ambitious new car field

Tesla boss Elon Musk seems to be about to turn his vision of autonomous taxis into reality, with a small team of autonomous taxis starting trial runs in Austin, Texas on Sunday. However, currently, it is only a small fleet consisting of approximately 10 vehicles. Reaching one million autonomous taxis may take a year or more, but if Austin's demonstration is successful, the billionaire should be able to expand this service this year.

When Musk made these "next year" promises, his competitor Waymo was busy deploying autonomous taxis in Los Angeles, San Diego, Austin, and other cities, using a different technology that could bring autonomous taxis to the market faster. It has just completed its 10 millionth paid ride.

The test started relatively gently. Tesla is remotely monitoring vehicles and placing a person in the passenger seat for emergency use. The number of Tesla vehicles deployed will also be very small, only 10 to 12, and will only carry passengers in limited fenced areas. Musk vows that this service will quickly expand to other cities, ultimately reaching hundreds of thousands or even one million cars next year. But on Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration contacted Tesla because previously posted videos on social media showed the company's self driving taxis driving in chaos on public roads in Austin, Texas. In a widely circulated video online, a Tesla self driving taxi was found driving incorrectly on a road, while another one was shown in the middle of the traffic, reacting to a "stationary police car outside the road," which is one of several other examples. A spokesperson for NHTSA stated that the agency is aware of the incident mentioned and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather more information.

At present, Tesla's self driving taxi service launched in Texas is a noteworthy attempt. For consumers, the launch of Tesla's autonomous taxi service will bring a more convenient and efficient travel experience. The application of autonomous driving technology will reduce the uncertainty and risks brought by human driving, and improve travel safety. Meanwhile, autonomous taxis can also provide more personalized service experiences based on passengers' needs and preferences.

In addition, the promotion of Tesla's autonomous taxi service will also have a positive impact on the automotive industry. On the one hand, it will drive car manufacturers to increase their research and development investment in autonomous driving technology, accelerating the popularization and application of autonomous driving technology. On the other hand, the commercial operation of autonomous taxi services will bring new business models and profit growth points to the automotive industry, promoting its transformation and upgrading.

In summary, Tesla's launch of autonomous taxi services in Texas is a milestone initiative. Although facing many challenges and problems, with the continuous advancement of technology and the gradual improvement of regulations, autonomous taxis are expected to become an important choice for future travel. As a leading enterprise in the field of autonomous driving, Tesla's exploration and innovation in this area will have a profound impact on the entire industry, bringing consumers a more convenient, efficient, and safe travel experience.