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

Summary

Business Insider’s Alistair Barr rode a Tesla Robotaxi in San Carlos — the town where Tesla began — and reports a smooth, careful trip using an advanced version of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software with a human safety driver present. The Model Y handled narrow residential streets, blind turns, and a road dip with marked scrape damage, slowing and navigating cautiously. The ride connected easily to the passenger’s Spotify account, cost under $6, and required no separate payment setup for Tesla-account holders.

The author notes Tesla’s broader shift from EV maker to autonomous-mobility provider amid regulatory scrutiny and ongoing debate over safety; earlier FSD tests have shown impressive performance but occasional errors. The safety driver on the trip was on his first day; Tesla restricts questions to drivers about their experiences. Overall the outing suggested notable progress but still a supervised service.

Key Points

Tesla’s Robotaxi service is available in parts of the Bay Area and can be summoned via an app.
The ride used a more advanced FSD stack than the author’s personal car, but a human safety driver remained behind the wheel.
The Model Y navigated tight residential roads, parked cars, blind curves and a road dip smoothly and cautiously.
Fare was inexpensive (under $6) and cheaper than a comparable Uber trip; payment used existing Tesla app billing.
Passenger experience included quick music connection (Spotify auto-linked) and an in-car entertainment QR option that was fiddly but unnecessary.
Tesla’s Robotaxi programme shows practical progress but operates under supervision and faces regulatory scrutiny and past safety concerns.

Context and relevance

This first-hand ride is useful for anyone tracking autonomous vehicles, mobility services, or Tesla’s strategic shift. It demonstrates real-world performance in suburban conditions and gives clues about user experience, pricing and operational practices (safety drivers, app integration). The piece sits at the intersection of transport tech, urban mobility economics and regulatory debate — relevant to policy watchers, investors and commuters curious about cheaper, app-driven robotaxi options.

Why should I read this?

Short version: someone actually got into a Tesla Robotaxi in Tesla’s hometown and reported back — it’s a quick, readable snapshot of how well the tech works on real streets, how much it costs, and what the passenger experience is like. If you care about AVs, Teslas, or cheaper rides, this saves you the time of hunting down firsthand details.

Author style

Punchy, first-person account — clear and direct. The writer keeps it practical: ride details, small surprises (Spotify auto-connect), price, and the broader point that Tesla is moving from carmaker to autonomous-mobility company. Worth reading for a grounded view rather than hype.