Overview

• Tesla will launch its paid robotaxi service this weekend in a geofenced area from Marin through San Francisco to San Jose, inviting select owners to participate.
• Modified Model Y SUVs will carry a safety driver in the front seat with full control over steering and brakes during the initial deployment.
• California regulators confirm Tesla has not applied for the permits required to conduct driverless testing or to charge fares for fully autonomous rides.
• The Bay Area program builds on a controlled pilot that began in Austin in June, where human safety monitors complemented remote oversight.
• The expansion underscores Tesla’s shift toward autonomous ride-hailing as it pursues regulatory approval in multiple states to offset declining EV sales.