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Tesla’s Robotaxi Service Expands in Austin to 80 Square Miles, Nearing Waymo’s Footprint

Complying with Texas permit rules, Tesla challenges Waymo’s decade-long expansion by rapidly enlarging its service zone.

Tesla Robotaxis are about to become even more common in Austin.

Overview

  • On August 3, Tesla nearly doubled its Austin Robotaxi geofence from about 42 to 80 square miles.
  • The latest growth pushes coverage into suburban areas such as Barton Creek and brings Tesla within striking distance of Waymo’s roughly 90-square-mile network.
  • Rides remain invite-only under Texas law, with human safety monitors onboard pending a full autonomous permit by September 1.
  • Recent sightings of Robotaxi tests in suburbs like Marble Falls indicate further geofence extensions are in the pipeline.
  • Elon Musk has set an ambitious goal to offer Robotaxis to half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025, underscoring Tesla’s rapid-expansion approach.