Tesla plans to expand its robotaxi service to the San Francisco Bay Area within the next month or two, pending regulatory approval, as stated by CEO Elon Musk. This follows a limited trial launched in Austin, TX, where about a dozen vehicles were deployed last month under strict conditions. Musk indicated on social media that Tesla will broaden its service in Austin this weekend, though specific details weren’t provided.
The rollout is seen as crucial for Tesla, especially amidst declining demand for its electric vehicles and increased competition. In California, Tesla will require several permits from the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Public Utilities Commission to operate a commercial autonomous service, making the launch more complex than in Texas.
In contrast, Alphabet’s Waymo currently operates over 1,500 driverless robotaxis charging passenger fees in multiple cities, completing more than 250,000 rides weekly. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Zoox has just opened its dedicated robotaxi manufacturing facility in California, aiming to produce 10,000 robotaxis annually.
