This week, I had the opportunity to embark on an exciting adventure in Austin, experiencing Tesla's innovative Robotaxi service—something only a select few have had the privilege to try.

During my five rides with a fellow passenger, we encountered an impressive but not flawless experience. While most rides were smooth, we faced a few hiccups, including one memorable moment when the Robotaxi veered onto an empty one-way street marked with "Do Not Enter" signs.

Tesla has been piloting its Robotaxi since late June, aiming to integrate these autonomous vehicles into their larger goal of becoming a leader in AI and robotics.

Currently, only a handful of Model Y Robotaxis are roaming the streets of Austin, each monitored by a safety operator to ensure rider safety. A few select individuals, like Vu Kong—an Austin local and entrepreneurial dental group manager—have been granted early access to this autonomous ride-hailing service.

Kong expressed his amazement with the service, stating, "The consistency and smoothness of the rides really impressed me. After a few trips, I forgot I was in an autonomous vehicle! I was able to conduct meetings and take calls comfortably."

Throughout my time in the Robotaxi, I discovered that Tesla’s commitment to creating a spacious, light-filled cabin with a glass roof truly makes the ride enjoyable. However, I found the choice of bright white leather seats questionable for a service that will service numerous passengers.

One notable feature is the Robotaxi's sole reliance on external cameras and neural networks, which allows it to navigate safely and confidently. It exhibited impressive skills like maintaining a safe distance from cyclists and navigating complex construction zones.

However, the journey wasn't completely without interruptions. There were moments of disengagement where either the safety operator or a remote support agent had to step in to assist the vehicle. One such incident occurred within minutes of our first ride, when the Robotaxi struggled to navigate out of a parking lot. A remote agent promptly connected with us, indicating they were aware of the issue and facilitated our journey.

A second incident arose when Kong inadvertently directed the Robotaxi onto a restricted one-way road. This required intervention to recalibrate the vehicle and redirect it safely. The last disengagement happened while attempting to navigate outside the pre-defined service area when we sought a new destination.

Although I felt secure throughout all our rides, it was enlightening to witness the limitations of the Robotaxi's technology.

In terms of logistics, while pick-up times were mostly under 10 minutes, we did encounter a lengthy wait of nearly 30 minutes at one point.

Interestingly, it seemed the Robotaxis opted to avoid highways altogether during our journeys, despite Musk's vision of self-driving cars capable of tackling any environment. The reason for this remains unclear, especially as Tesla's Full Self-Driving system has been praised for its highway performance in past tests.

Despite a few bugs in the app and occasional glitches in pick-up times, my overall experience with Tesla's Robotaxi service was thoroughly engaging. Given the current status as a pilot launch with only select users and a nominal fee of $6.90 per ride, there’s much to anticipate as Tesla aims to refine this groundbreaking technology.

Ultimately, while there’s room for improvement, Tesla's Robotaxi shows immense potential, and I look forward to witnessing its development as it takes Austin by storm!