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.

Elon Musk posted to his Twitter on Sunday that his new autonomous vehicle service launched in Austin Sunday afternoon.

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,