Tesla’s stock shot higher after Sunday’s launch of the EV maker’s eagerly anticipated — and recently delayed — robotaxi service in Austin, Texas.

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.