Autonomous Tesla Robotaxis to Debut without Human Operators Initially
Tesla's Robotaxi Service Launches in Austin, Texas
Tesla has officially launched its Robotaxi service on June 22, 2025, in Austin, Texas, with a limited group of users enjoying rides in the city[1][4][5]. The service operates via a dedicated Tesla Robotaxi app, currently accessible by invitation only, with plans for open access expected soon[1].
The service in Austin operates within a geofenced area, with Tesla granted a state permit in August 2025 allowing ride-hailing operations across Texas, though fully driverless authorization is pending DMV approval[1][4].
Expansion Plans
Tesla is not limiting its Robotaxi service to Austin. The company has already started operations in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, also as an invite-only service due to regulatory constraints[2][3]. Tesla is actively hiring vehicle operators for Autopilot and Robotaxi roles in multiple states, signaling plans to expand service to New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida in the near future[3].
Number of Autonomous Vehicles
Tesla has not publicly disclosed the exact number of Robotaxis deployed, but indications suggest a limited initial fleet concentrated in the launch cities, primarily for data collection and operational testing by invite-only users[3][5]. Job listings for vehicle operators imply ongoing growth and testing to scale the fleet.
Future Plans
Tesla aims for "open access" Robotaxi availability soon, where any Tesla user in the service area can hail rides through the Tesla app directly, instead of invite-only access[1]. Expansion will be gradual with regulatory permits playing a key role, especially regarding operation without a human safety driver—a requirement still under regulatory review in California and other states[1][2].
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, emphasized the need for unified national regulations around self-driving vehicles, believing that autonomy and Tesla's humanoid robot project, Optimus, will be key to Tesla's future financial success[6]. Furthermore, Musk confirmed that several major automakers have approached Tesla to license its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology[7].
In summary, Tesla’s Robotaxi service is operational in Austin and the SF Bay Area on a limited, invite-only basis with safety drivers present, expanding with a focus on states including Texas, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. Full autonomous ride-hailing without drivers awaits further regulatory approvals, while Tesla builds out its fleet and infrastructure to scale the service nationally[1][2][3][4][5].
[1] https://www.tesla.com/news/tesla-robotaxi-service-launches-in-austin-texas [2] https://www.tesla.com/news/tesla-robotaxi-service-expands-to-san-francisco-bay-area [3] https://www.tesla.com/careers/job/vehicle-operator-tesla-robotaxi-san-francisco [4] https://www.tesla.com/news/texas-grants-tesla-permit-to-operate-robotaxi-service [5] https://www.tesla.com/news/tesla-robotaxi-service-launches-in-austin-texas [6] https://www.tesla.com/news/elon-musk-interview-discusses-robotaxi-service-launch [7] https://www.tesla.com/news/several-major-automakers-approach-tesla-to-license-fsd-technology
- The expansion of Tesla's Robotaxi service is not limited to Austin, as the company has already launched operations in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, and has plans to expand to states such as New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
- Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, has emphasized the importance of unified national regulations for self-driving vehicles, as he believes that autonomy and the company's humanoid robot project, Optimus, will play a significant role in Tesla's future success in the automotive and technology industries, as well as finance and transportation sectors.
