This isn’t just about a new feature; it’s the cornerstone of Elon Musk’s narrative that Tesla is not merely a car company but a world-changing AI and robotics powerhouse. As the automaker faces fierce competition from Chinese rivals like BYD, the success or failure of its autonomous vision could define its next chapter.

Tesla deployed a small group of self-driving taxis picking up paying passengers on Sunday in Austin, Texas, with CEO Elon Musk announcing the "robotaxi launch" and social-media influencers posting videos of their first rides.

Tesla has launched its Robotaxi service in Austin after a decade of promises, initially for select influencers. Riders pay $4.20 per trip, with availability limited by location and weather. Texas has enacted new regulations for self-driving vehicles,