Overview

• Tesla plans to expand its current geofenced robotaxi service area in Austin this weekend, increasing from about a dozen Model Y vehicles to cover a larger zone.
• Elon Musk projects a San Francisco Bay Area rollout in roughly one to two months, contingent on approvals from the California DMV and the California Public Utilities Commission.
• Tesla has applied to the Arizona Department of Transportation for permits to test and operate robotaxis in the Phoenix metro region with and without onboard safety drivers, with a decision expected by month’s end.
• Early Austin trials featuring invited riders and front-seat safety monitors drew social media footage of traffic incidents, prompting reviews by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and state regulators.
• Tesla’s expansion move positions it to challenge Waymo, which currently operates more than 1,500 driverless cabs across U.S. cities including San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin.