In the last few days, Austin, Texas has been swarmed by Tesla Robotaxi Model Ys and company-owned Cybertrucks. However, these vehicles weren’t simply on the road to drive; they were there for a purpose.
Multiple Model Y Robotaxis and Cybertrucks have been seen in Austin, Texas, with various equipment installed on the roof of these vehicles. This equipment is the same as seen before on Robotaxis since May in preparation for the Tesla Robotaxi service launch on 22nd June.
There are two different types of rooftop devices that these vehicles have been spotted with. One is a watchtower-like object that’s most probably a LiDAR or a mapping device. The other is similar to a roof rack (mostly seen on the Cybertruck units), which appears to be an FSD data validation device.
Tesla enthusiast and Nic Curze Patane posted multiple videos of the Robotaxis and Cybertrucks validating the streets of Austin, Texas. “Tesla is out in full force tonight validating parts of Downtown Austin!,” Nic wrote on X.
“They’re getting ready to expand. They have a fleet of vehicles running up and down the South Congress Bridge,” he added to the following videos on X (formerly Twitter).
Tesla is currently operating its Robotaxi service in a geofenced area in Austin, Texas. However, this are of operation is not small as the first autonomous delivery of a Tesla Model Y was made 30 minutes away from Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin.
Out of concern for the safety of Robotaxi occupants, other vehicles, and vulnerable road users (VRUs), Tesla is being extremely cautious to avoid any mishap or incident. This caution is also delaying the Robotaxi service offer to the general public. Currently, only Early Access riders are allowed to avail the Tesla Robotaxi service in Austin, TX.
Deep and thorough scanning and data collection of this geofenced area is vital in ensuring the safety standards of Robotaxi and Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD).
Tesla Cybertrucks are also collecting FSD data because the tech & AI automaker has been facing issues with Cybertruck FSD. This is basically because of Cybertruck’s large size and unorthodox design of the body. To make sure the Cybertruck performs as good as other Tesla vehicles on FSD, the automaker is further improving its FSD capabilities by using this special validation equipment (seen in videos above).
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- Tesla starts Robotaxi service in the SF Bay Area, but it’s different from Austin
- Tesla FSD to get Robotaxi improvements in general release, Robotaxi California launch is pending regulatory approval, Musk
- Tesla expands Robotaxi service area in Austin, the new map looks like the Tesla logo upside down, says the automaker
- Tesla is mapping Austin, Texas for Robotaxi service and Cybertruck FSD
- Tesla Robotaxi mode has a special wiper routine focused on FSD camera cleaning (video)
