Tesla Asked To Delay Robotaxi Launch By Democratic Legislative Members In Texas

JAKARTA - A group of Democratic legislature members from Texas asked Tesla to postpone the highly anticipated launch of the robotaxi in Austin until September, as the new law on autonomous vehicles is scheduled to take effect.

The legislator group from the Austin region said in a letter on Wednesday 18 June that the launch delay, which CEO Elon Musk said could be "temporary" on Sunday, is in the best interest of public safety and builds public confidence in Tesla's operations.

If Tesla decides to resume its launch this month, legislators will ask Tesla to provide detailed information showing how Tesla will comply with the state's new laws as they launch.

Musk last year confirmed Tesla's future on autonomous driving technology after the company shifted its focus on pursuing rapid growth in sales of electric vehicles.

Tesla has not yet responded to the letter.

It is not clear how much influence this letter from Democratic legislators has had in the states currently controlled by Republicans, including governors and majority in both legislative rooms.

Musk announced in January that Tesla would offer a paid autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin in June, and since then the launch in Austin has been in the spotlight of investors and analysts many of them attribute Tesla's stock market value to the hopes of robotaxi and humanoid robots that the company hasn't launched yet.

Texas law currently allows autonomous vehicle companies to operate their vehicles anywhere in Texas, as long as the vehicle meets basic registration and insurance requirements.

The new law passed last month but not signed by the governor will require autonomous vehicle companies to apply for an operating permit in the state for the first time.

The law also authorizes state authorities to revoke permits if they assess driverless vehicles 'danger the public.' The company is also required to provide state information on how police and emergency officers can handle the vehicle in an emergency situation.

Musk and Tesla provide a little detail on plans to launch the robotaxi in Austin. The CEO said the launch would start with 10 to 20 units of Model Y and would only operate in the parts of Austin that we thought were the safest.

Musk and Tesla have not explained who the passengers are, how the tariff system is, in which area in Austin the vehicle will operate, or how the vehicle's remote surveillance and operation will be carried out.