what happened to tesla's 2024 robotaxi?

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Tesla's promised 2024 Robotaxi did not launch as scheduled, with the initiative facing significant delays, regulatory hurdles, and safety monitor requirements, according to El Diario 24 and Yahoo Finance. The project shifted toward a 2025 "unsupervised" FSD rollout in Texas and California, with full manufacturing of a dedicated, steering-wheel-less robotaxi delayed until 2026 or 2027, as reported by El Diario 24. 

Key Updates on Tesla Robotaxi (as of January 2026):

• Delayed Rollout: Initial goals for a 2024 launch were missed, with testing continuing into 2025 and 2026, notes Yahoo Finance and the Austin American-Statesman.
• Testing Status: As of early 2026, Robotaxis are operating in Austin and the Bay Area, but with a Tesla employee (safety monitor) still required to be present, according to KESQ and the Austin American-Statesman.
• Progress: Recent reports indicate some vehicles are now operating without safety monitors, notes the Austin American-Statesman and Teslarati.
• Challenges: The program has faced scrutiny over safety incidents, limited vehicle availability, and "High Service Demand" messages in Austin, reports the LA Times and Teslarati. 

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While Musk suggested in late 2025 that the service would go fully driverless within weeks, the timeline for widespread, driverless, and production-dedicated robotaxis remains uncertain. 

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