Elon Musk is at it again, promising to bring Tesla’s controversial robotaxis to the San Francisco Bay Area within months, despite growing concerns about the technology’s safety.

In a recent tweet, Musk claimed regulatory approvals are imminent, suggesting the autonomous vehicles could hit our streets as soon as late summer. However, early testing in Austin, Texas has revealed significant challenges that cast doubt on the technology’s readiness.

Multiple incidents have already emerged from the limited Austin rollout, including robotaxis dropping passengers in dangerous locations and making unpredictable stops. Austin city officials have been vocal about their concerns, with Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes stating that Tesla has “no regard for public input” and that the technology has “proven unsafe”.

Unlike competitors like Waymo, Tesla is taking a unique approach by avoiding LiDAR technology and instead relying on machine learning and visual sensors. This strategy, while innovative, has raised eyebrows among autonomous vehicle experts who emphasize the importance of extensive testing and comprehensive data.

Brad Templeton, a veteran autonomous vehicle consultant, warns that regulators are primarily interested in long-term performance statistics, not isolated demonstrations. Currently, Tesla has only secured two of the six permits required to operate in San Francisco.

The push for robotaxis seems increasingly tied to Tesla’s financial challenges, with the company experiencing slow electric vehicle sales and stock price volatility. Musk’s aggressive timeline appears to be a bet on technological innovation transforming the company’s fortunes.

As Bay Area residents, we’ll be watching closely to see whether these robotaxis represent a breakthrough in transportation technology or another overpromised Silicon Valley moonshot. The safety of our streets and community will be the ultimate test.