Tesla’s (TSLA) Robotaxis Revealed: Modified Model Y’s with Self-Cleaning Cameras—Here’s Why It Matters

Tesla’s robotaxi fleet isn’t just another moonshot—it’s a calculated bet on autonomous dominance. The secret sauce? Modified Model Y’s equipped with self-cleaning cameras, ensuring vision stays sharp even when the road gets dirty.

No more phantom braking incidents blamed on grime-covered lenses. These upgrades could finally silence critics who’ve mocked Tesla’s ‘vision-only’ approach as a cost-cutting gamble.

Wall Street analysts are already salivating over the potential revenue streams—though let’s be real, they’d hype a toaster if Elon slapped ‘AI-powered’ on it. Meanwhile, legacy automakers are scrambling to retrofit their own fleets. Too little, too late?

One thing’s clear: Tesla’s playing chess while others are stuck in bumper cars. The question isn’t if robotaxis will disrupt mobility—it’s whether regulators (and sanity) can keep up.

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Elon Musk confirmed earlier this year that Tesla would rely on remote operators to step in during emergencies. A recent photo from Tesla’s AI lead even showed office desks equipped with steering wheels, which provide hints to how these remote interventions might work. The first Halo vehicles were rolled out on June 22, using Model Ys equipped with the self-cleaning camera technology. Tesla previously mentioned on X that it was working on keeping cameras clear, a necessary step since the Robotaxis rely solely on vision, unlike other self-driving companies that use LiDAR or radar.

So far, the Robotaxi service is only operating in a limited area of Austin and includes both a remote operator and a human safety monitor sitting in the passenger seat. This monitor can stop or pull over the car using controls on the touchscreen, and passengers have access to similar buttons on a rear screen. Some YouTube videos suggest the safety monitors are also in contact with remote drivers. According to Musk, the program began with around 10 to 20 vehicles, with plans to scale over time. Following the launch, Tesla’s stock jumped 8%, and early user reviews—shared on X and YouTube—were largely positive, with one analyst saying the ride was so smooth it didn’t feel like a driverless experience at all.

What Is the Prediction for Tesla Stock?

Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock based on 14 Buys, 12 Holds, and nine Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TSLA price target of $287 per share implies 12% downside risk.