Image: @artsimage on X
With Tesla’s long-awaited Robotaxi service launch in Austin later today, another autonomous vehicle has been spotted driving on its own and, perhaps more importantly, with no tail car in sight — this time in a striking red finish.
The sighting, shared by @artsimage on X (formerly Twitter), shows a red Tesla Robotaxi prototype cruising around the Austin area on Saturday. This follows several previous sightings of Model Y units with the “Robotaxi” logo on the side in the Texas capital over the past few weeks, as Tesla quietly ramps up its self-driving fleet ahead of today’s limited launch.
Tesla’s Robotaxi platform is an autonomous ride-sharing service for low-cost, safe urban transportation. Unlike traditional Teslas, these Robotaxi units are equipped with unique hardware modifications, including what appears to be a new sensor suite and cameras optimized for full autonomy.
Earlier this week, Tesla began sending out invites for the first Robotaxi rides in Austin on Sunday, June 22, confirming that the rollout will be hyper-localized and geo-fenced to specific areas within the city. The company will initially deploy just 10 vehicles, each with a human Tesla Safety Monitor riding in the passenger seat while Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software takes the wheel.
Today’s Robotaxi commercial service launch represents Tesla’s most ambitious push into autonomous ride-hailing yet. Stay tuned for updates as Tesla rolls out its first Robotaxis in Austin.
