Jakarta, INTI – Driverless ride-hailing services are no longer just a futuristic concept. Real-world trials of autonomous vehicles have officially begun in two U.S. states: Texas and California. These vehicles, equipped with the latest generation of Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, have already completed thousands of trips in the early stages of deployment.
Self-Driving Vehicles Now Serving Employees in Major Cities
The program is currently limited to internal employees in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. Users can request a ride through a mobile app, similar to traditional ride-hailing services. In this initial phase, a safety driver remains in the front seat while passengers ride in the back.
To date, more than 1,500 rides have been completed, covering over 24,000 kilometers. The trials are not only testing the vehicles themselves but also the broader ecosystem, including the mobile application, vehicle dispatching systems, remote support, and mission control operations.
Balancing Promise with Past Delays
Autonomous driving technology has long been hailed as the future of mobility, but widespread implementation has faced repeated delays. Public discussions around self-driving vehicles have been ongoing since the mid-2010s, yet the full vision has yet to materialize on a broad scale.
Several bold promises to launch fully autonomous vehicles within a short timeframe have missed their targets. Only last year did regulators in California approve initial passenger trials under supervised conditions—a cautious step forward in a highly regulated environment.
Bridging Toward the Future of Transportation
This trial phase plays a crucial role in building public trust in autonomous systems. Beyond testing safety and efficiency, the data gathered will help shape future regulations and infrastructure readiness.
The next step is to expand access to the general public using company-owned vehicles, pending further regulatory approvals. Real-world deployments like this also offer valuable insights to improve autonomous systems for broader, more inclusive use.
Conclusion: The Era of Driverless Ride-Hailing is Nearing Reality
The launch of autonomous ride-hailing trials in Texas and California signals a significant shift—from concept to city streets. While technical and regulatory challenges remain, the technology is showing real potential to transform how people travel—safer, more efficient, and without the need for a human driver.
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