A Robotaxi took me for a ride in my hometown, the birthplace of Tesla

Recently, I found myself enjoying a quiet day at home when my phone buzzed with an exciting notification from Tesla. I had finally moved off the waitlist and was able to order a Robotaxi from my home in San Carlos, a town with deep ties to Tesla's history. The app informed me a Robotaxi would arrive in just six minutes, so I decided to take a ride to a friend's house located about two miles away. A sleek Model Y approached my home, with a safety driver present behind the wheel. After buckling up, I initiated the ride through the back seat’s touchscreen. It struck me how far Tesla has progressed since its founding in San Carlos in 2003, a time when my wife and I were just starting our family in Silicon Valley. I still recall the early days when Tesla’s roadsters were a novelty on the streets. As we departed, I reflected on Tesla's transformation from an electric vehicle and battery manufacturer to a pioneering force in autonomous mobility and robotics. CEO Elon Musk is relentless in pushing this evolution forward, often drawing both praise and criticism along the way. Earlier this year, I had tested Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology against a competing service from Waymo, using my 2024 Tesla Model 3 Performance. While that experience had its moments of brilliance, it also included a mishap where it ran a red light. In contrast, my Robotaxi ride utilized an enhanced version of the FSD software, albeit with a human safety driver ready to take control if necessary. We set off smoothly, adhering to local speed limits and stopping at every stop sign. The weather was perfect, with children and families out enjoying the sunny day. As we navigated the roads, the route taken was different from what I typically chose, winding through a suburban neighborhood. Soon, we encountered narrow stretches and parked cars, which the Model Y handled adeptly. It slowed down for blind curves and approached a dip in the road with caution, avoiding the harsh bumps that other vehicles had struggled with. I inquired about this feature, and the safety driver explained that the latest system can detect road irregularities and adjust accordingly. Curious about the safety driver’s experience, I learned that it was his very first day on the job. However, he was unable to share specifics about how often he had to intervene during rides. After a brief ten-minute journey, we arrived at my friend's house, where the Robotaxi parked precisely and reminded me to gather my belongings. I appreciated the seamless payment process through my existing Tesla app, which I had set up with my credit card information. The ride cost under $6, significantly cheaper than a typical Uber fare to the same destination. After a pleasant visit, I decided to order a return ride using the Robotaxi app. The wait time was approximately 20 minutes, likely due to our location on a winding hill away from the main town. The return journey was just as impressive, showcasing the vehicle's ability to navigate a busy road during school rush hour with care. The safety driver informed me that passengers could enjoy music or games on the back seat screen. Despite an initial hassle with setting up a music service, I was pleased to find that the Model Y had automatically connected to my Spotify account, allowing us to enjoy a soundtrack for the ride. Upon arriving home, the Robotaxi took a moment to find a suitable parking spot, resulting in a short walk back to my front door. However, I was already looking forward to my next ride, eager to see how this technology continues to evolve.