Dailiy News: Tesla's Robotaxi Launch Set for June 12 in Austin

🚗 Key Developments in Robotaxi Industry

1. Tesla's Robotaxi Launch Set for June 12 in Austin

Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 12, 2025. The initial fleet will consist of approximately 10 driverless Model Y vehicles, with plans to scale up to 1,000 units in the coming months. These vehicles have been tested without safety drivers on Austin's public streets in recent days. The rollout will include geofencing and human supervisors to ensure safety. ([Reuters][1], [Investor's Business Daily][2], [Electrek][3])

2. Tesla Files New 'Robotaxi' Trademark Applications

Tesla has filed new trademark applications for the term "Tesla Robotaxi" after previous attempts faced challenges. This move indicates the company's commitment to branding its upcoming autonomous ride-hailing service. ([TechCrunch][4])

3. Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service and Plans Houston Deployment

Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle division, has rapidly expanded its robotaxi service, marking 2025 as a pivotal year. Since launching paid rides in select cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, its growth has been exponential. Weekly rides increased from 10,000 in August 2023 to 250,000 by early 2025. Cumulatively, Waymo has surpassed 10 million paid rides and is on track to double that by year-end. Additionally, Waymo plans to bring its fleet of self-driving cars to Houston as part of its 2025 Road Trip, aiming to test vehicles in real-world settings and gather data on Houston's unique road conditions and driver behaviors. ([WSJ][5], [Chron][6])

4. Pony.ai Partners with Xihu Group for Shenzhen Robotaxi Deployment

Pony.ai has announced a strategic partnership with Shenzhen's largest taxi operator, Xihu Group, to deploy over 1,000 seventh-generation robotaxis in the city. This collaboration adopts an "asset-light + AI-empowered model," where Xihu Group will manage fleet operations, and Pony.ai will focus on AI technology and dispatch services. Pony.ai is the first company authorized to operate paid fully-driverless robotaxis within Shenzhen's city centers. ([Stock Titan][7])

5. Amazon's Zoox Partners with Resorts World Las Vegas

Zoox, Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, has partnered with Resorts World Las Vegas to become the official robotaxi service of the North Strip resort. The partnership includes a tailored pickup and drop-off zone at the resort and an "experiential activation" within the premises. This move positions Zoox to advance towards a public launch of its service in Las Vegas. ([Hoodline][8])

📈 Key Trend of the Day

Tesla's Robotaxi Launch Sparks Investor Caution

As Tesla prepares for its robotaxi launch, investor sentiment is mixed. Despite a 46% stock increase since Tesla's first-quarter earnings call on April 22, the stock fell by 1.6% to $340.85 on Monday. Analysts express concerns over potential regulatory barriers to scaling the robotaxi service and the company's high valuation, which now trades at 180 times projected 2025 earnings. Some investors, like Gary Black, have sold their Tesla holdings, citing high valuations. ([Barron's][9])

🔍 Suggested Follow-Up Question for Tomorrow

How are regulatory bodies responding to the rapid deployment of robotaxi services by companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Pony.ai, and what implications does this have for the industry's growth?

Resource:

1. [https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-targets-june-12-launch-robotaxi-service-austin-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-05-28/?utm_source=chatgpt.com](Tesla targets June 12 launch for robotaxi service in Austin, Bloomberg News reports) [2]: https://www.investors.com/news/cathie-wood-sold-tesla-stock-may-stock-market-elon-musk-robotaxi-launch/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Cathie Wood Just Sold Tesla Stock In May But Is She Going Away With The Robotaxi Launch Approaching?" [3]: https://electrek.co/2025/05/29/tesla-testing-robotaxi-service-without-drivers-for-several-days-elon-musk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tesla has been testing robotaxi service without drivers for ... - Electrek" [4]: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/02/tesla-files-new-robotaxi-trademark-applications-after-prior-attempt-stalls/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tesla files new ‘Robotaxi’ trademark applications after prior attempt stalls" [5]: https://www.wsj.com/tech/waymo-cars-self-driving-robotaxi-tesla-uber-0777f570?utm_source=chatgpt.com "It's Waymo's World. We're All Just Riding in It." [6]: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/waymo-driverless-cars-houston-20351087.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Waymo's driverless fleet should be scared of Houston drivers" [7]: https://www.stocktitan.net/news/PONY/pony-ai-inc-reaches-strategic-partnership-with-xihu-group-for-kyg686xaic4d.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Pony AI Secures Landmark Deal: 1,000 Driverless Taxis Coming to Shenzhen in Industry-First Partnership" [8]: https://hoodline.com/2025/06/amazon-s-zoox-paves-way-for-robotaxi-service-in-las-vegas-through-resorts-world-partnership/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Amazon's Zoox Paves Way for Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas Through Resorts World Partnership" [9]: https://www.barrons.com/articles/tesla-stock-robotaxi-ai-sell-e69bb7dc?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Tesla Stock Is Falling. Is It a 'Sell the News' Month?"