Elon Musk says long-awaited test of Tesla robotaxi on track to launch by end of June

Core Viewpoint - Tesla is set to begin testing its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, by the end of June, with plans to scale up from 10 self-driving cars to about 1,000 within a few months, despite facing regulatory scrutiny regarding safety [1][4][5]. Group 1: Robotaxi Deployment - The initial deployment will focus on the safest parts of Austin, utilizing geofencing to limit operations [2]. - A successful trial is critical for Tesla as the company shifts focus from developing a new cheaper EV platform to launching the robotaxi service and its Optimus humanoid robots [5][8]. - Tesla is in discussions with major automakers to license its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which is expected to be integral to the robotaxi service [9]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating Tesla's FSD software due to collisions in reduced visibility conditions, raising questions about the safety of the upcoming robotaxi service [6][8]. - The NHTSA has requested information from Tesla regarding the performance of its robotaxis in poor weather conditions [8]. Group 3: Market Context - Tesla's stock saw a slight increase of less than 1% during afternoon trading, reflecting market sentiment amid the company's strategic pivot [4]. - The commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology remains challenging due to stringent regulations and significant investments, leading to many companies exiting the market [6].