Elon Musk has promised an autonomous car service in June. Time passes and only has a car like those of a lifetime

“Before 2027, let me say so.” With these words, Elon Musk launched its last order: United States will enjoy a Tesla Robotaxis service operated by cars without steering wheel or pedals in less than two years. That was the great promise of the company’s CEO last October 2024 when Tesla presented her cybercab.

The project cannot be more ambitious. At the moment, the only ones who had strengthened as operators were Waymo and Cruise And his work is known for operating in Some neighborhoods of San Francisco with traditional vehicles adapted to a driver without driver. Cruise, in addition, has decided to give folder To this race for the autonomous car after burning billions of dollars.

The background They would shake anyone and, above all, they doubt that Tesla is able to move forward such an ambitious project in such a short time space. Despite this, Elon Musk already advanced in January that yes, that This summer We would see evidence of his Tesla Cybercab in Austin (Texas).

With a steering wheel or flying, it is something that will only say time.

The logical step

For now, what we know is that Tesla has requested permission Transportation Charter Party to the California Public Services Commission (CPUC). This step is essential to be able to be able to be able to a fleet of vehicles that are used as a taxi service.

They explain in Bloomberg That, until now, there was no record of this step although Musk had assured that he hoped to be able to put this business at the service of customers at the end of the year. That is, the first steps would take place in the Texan city of Austin and, later, in the state of California.

The first step, yes, is to show that cars are safe and reliable for themselves. And, for that, they need a driver who verifies the possible problems or errors in which the system may fall. Waymo and Cruise cost them years operate in California and the latter left after star in various accidents.

To reach this stadium, Tesla would have to request another permission in which its intention to work without drivers after the steering wheel is specifically collected. However, this permission has not been facilitated in California, according to internal sources to the economic newspaper and Reuters.

It must also be taken into account that the process to be able to Operate in San Francisco It is slow. First you need to overcome the approval of the regulators performing tests with driver, then it could operate without them but as long as I did not charge for the service. The last step is to be able to charge for the paths.

We will have to see how far the strip and loosen with the state of California (governed by the Democrats). It is a region that was willing to keep the purchase subsidies of electric cars despite The government aspires to end them. California’s answer has not only been resistance in this regard, he also wants Take Tesla of them claiming that they sell too many cars.

In Texas, however, things seem to be simpler. They explain in Bloomberg That completely autonomous cars do not need special permits to circulate so that the bureaucratic steps to be given are minors. In addition, it would be necessary to wait if the figure that Elon Musk has in the Government, since the state of Texas is controlled by the Republicans but the city of Austin is governed by the Democrats.

At the moment, all we have are images of the Tesla Cybercab performing tests with a steering wheel on the dashboard. It is essential for the electric car company to continue taking steps towards a future where you can make profitability to the service. A profitability that, in Musk’s words, should burn its first stage in June of this year when you should be offering “trips with self -employed cars for money”, in words used to a call with investors and published by Reuters.

However, the time period given by Elon Musk is so narrow that he opens the door to doubt and think that we could be before the nth promise not fulfilled in a timely manner. Much more if we consider that the company itself is pending to receive the approval in California To be able to operate your Full self driving (Your most advanced driving aid system) without supervision, something that already Mercedes In very specific traffic circumstances.

Photo | Gage Skidmore and Tesla

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