Tesla has begun a small-scale robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, deploying about 10 self-driving cars to pick up paying passengers in a limited area, as the state enacts new regulations for autonomous vehicles.
On Sunday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the launch of the "robotaxi" service in Austin, calling it the culmination of a decade of work on Artificial Intelligence chips and software developed in-house. The trial involves roughly 10 vehicles operating without drivers behind the wheel, though safety monitors sit in the front seat. Passengers pay a flat fee of $4.20 per ride.
Influencers invited by Tesla have shared videos of rides within a defined zone, with Musk emphasizing cautious operation—avoiding bad weather, difficult intersections, and minors. This rollout marks Tesla’s first public step toward commercializing self-driving taxis amid significant industry challenges.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law effective 1 September requiring permits for autonomous vehicles operating without human drivers. The legislation empowers the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to approve or revoke permits and mandates companies to provide emergency response information.
The law demands 'Level 4' autonomy for permits, meaning cars can drive without human intervention under specific conditions. It represents a more cautious regulatory stance compared to Texas’s previous anti-regulation approach, though less strict than California’s oversight.
Experts say Tesla’s Austin trial is an early milestone but cautioned that fully scaling robotaxi services could take years or decades. Tesla remains the world’s most valuable automaker, with much of its market value tied to promises around autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Tesla differs from competitors by relying solely on cameras for navigation, avoiding lidar and radar to reduce costs, a strategy Musk insists will be safe and effective. The rollout is closely watched following incidents involving rival companies’ autonomous vehicles and ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russian forces are suffering battlefield losses nearly three times higher than those of Ukraine, even as Moscow maintains a significant numerical advantage in manpower and artillery.
French President Emmanuel Macron has formally acknowledged that France waged a war in Cameroon during the country’s struggle for independence - marking the first time Paris has used the term “war” for its actions in that period.
President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order allocating funds from Azerbaijan’s 2025 state budget to support humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday before joining a German-hosted virtual conference with U.S. President Donald Trump, NATO and European leaders, two days ahead of Trump’s first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2021.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russian forces are suffering battlefield losses nearly three times higher than those of Ukraine, even as Moscow maintains a significant numerical advantage in manpower and artillery.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday before joining a German-hosted virtual conference with U.S. President Donald Trump, NATO and European leaders, two days ahead of Trump’s first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2021.
Starlink has officially started operations in Kazakhstan, making satellite internet available to the public for the first time. Citizens can now legally purchase, use, and register Starlink terminals in line with national regulations.
One of the world’s leading companies in the ski industry, Pas Grau International Management from Andorra, is coming to Kazakhstan. The company has registered a subsidiary in the Astana International Financial Centre as part of a large project to build a resort in the Kok Zhailau area.
Firefighters are tackling multiple wildfires across Greece, with blazes threatening towns near western city of Patras and on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate from their homes.
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