Tesla began operating its robotaxi service in Dallas and Houston on Friday, the company announced via a social media post. The post included a 14-second video showing autonomous vehicles navigating streets without visible drivers or human monitors in the front seats. The service marks the first deployment of Tesla’s robotaxi platform outside California.
The company did not provide details on the number of vehicles now in service or the areas covered in the two cities. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is central to the robotaxi operation, though the company has not clarified whether the vehicles are operating under the latest FSD version or a dedicated robotaxi software build. Regulators and safety advocates have raised questions about the service’s readiness for urban traffic.
Tesla’s expansion follows months of testing in San Francisco and Los Angeles, where the company faced scrutiny over safety incidents involving its autonomous vehicles. In Texas, the service will operate under the state’s permissive regulations for autonomous vehicle testing, which do not require a human driver behind the wheel. The company has not disclosed whether passengers will be required to use the Tesla app for rides or if pricing will differ from traditional Tesla ride-hailing services.
Industry analysts note that Tesla’s move into Texas could pressure competitors like Waymo and Cruise to accelerate their own robotaxi deployments. Tesla has previously stated its goal is to make robotaxis a major revenue stream, projecting earnings of up to $200 billion annually by 2030. However, the company has not provided financial updates on the robotaxi service since its initial announcement in 2024.
The launch comes as Tesla faces broader challenges, including declining vehicle sales and investor concerns over its long-term strategy. The robotaxi initiative remains unproven in real-world conditions outside limited pilot programs.
Source: techcrunch.com