The launch follows the dramatic meltdown in relations between Mr Elon Musk and Mr Donald Trump. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

In ramping up robotaxi service, Tesla is hoping to slingshot past Waymo, another autonomous car service that operates in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Austin, according to its website. Last week, Waymo applied for a permit to test its vehicles in New York City.

Elon Musk's vision of Tesla's (TSLA.O), opens new tab future is set for a public test on Sunday, when a dozen or so self-driving cars in Austin, Texas start a limited, paid robotaxi service. Though Tesla is dispensing with a webcast product launch event helmed by Musk,