Tesla to Launch Public Robotaxi Service Next Month According to Musk's Announcement
Tesla's Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service Opens to the Public in Austin Starting September 2025
Tesla's driverless ride-hailing service, known as Tesla Robotaxi, is set to open to the general public in Austin, Texas, as early as September 2025. The service started a limited pilot in June 2025 with invited users, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, confirmed the opening over the weekend [2][4].
The service uses Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles retrofitted with Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Tesla Robotaxi LLC has received a permit from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, allowing robotaxi operations statewide until August 6, 2026 [1][2]. However, for the fully autonomous, driverless fleet to operate without a human safety driver onboard, Tesla requires final approval from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, which is still pending [2].
The current status of the service is limited to a pilot with invite-only access. As the service becomes open to the public, it could be the first taste of the future for many, offering a glimpse into a world where driverless vehicles are the norm [3].
Expansion beyond Austin to other regions in Texas and California is planned for later in 2025 [3]. Currently, Tesla's Robotaxi operations are limited to Austin. The company is shifting from a closed pilot to citywide access within 90 days, suggesting a high degree of confidence in the safety and reliability of its Robotaxi technology [2].
The Robotaxi program has been expanding its tester pool since its initial launch to a small group of invited users in June [5]. As the service becomes available to everyone in the city, Tesla will likely need to significantly expand the size of its Austin Robotaxi fleet to meet demand.
Most Americans have yet to experience a driverless ride. The Austin rollout could mark a significant milestone for Tesla's FSD technology, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of autonomous vehicles in the United States.
While the service in Austin will operate with safety drivers initially, FSD 14, Tesla's planned update featuring 10x more neural net parameters and other upgrades, could arrive next month if testing goes smoothly [2]. FSD 14 promises to reduce driver intervention in rare and complex scenarios, but will still require attention in heavy weather or unusual traffic situations [2].
A similar ride-hailing service operates in the Bay Area, but with a human safety driver due to regulatory restrictions in California [5]. Improvements from the Robotaxi version are expected to make their way into public releases in the near future.
In summary:
- Public launch in Austin expected: September 2025
- Current status: limited pilot since June 2025, invite-only access
- Permit: granted for statewide operation until August 2026
- Full driverless operation pending Department of Motor Vehicles approval
- Expansion plans: Austin rollout → other Texas cities and California later in 2025 [1][2][3][4]
- A similar ride-hailing service operates in the Bay Area, but with a human safety driver due to regulatory restrictions in California.
- The Robotaxi program, initially launched to a small group of invited users in June, has been expanding its tester pool.
- Tesla will likely need to significantly expand the size of its Austin Robotaxi fleet to meet demand once everyone can book rides.
- Most Americans have yet to experience a driverless ride.
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, confirmed the opening of the service over the weekend.
- The move would mark a significant milestone for Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology.
[1] - https://www.texasautos.com/news/2025/06/25/texas-grants-tesla-autonomous-vehicle-permit-for-robotaxi-operations/ [2] - https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-robotaxi-austin-open-to-public-in-september-2025/ [3] - https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/28/tesla-to-expand-robotaxi-service-beyond-austin-in-2025-report.html [4] - https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-to-open-robotaxi-service-to-public-in-september-2025-ceo-2025-08-27/ [5] - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-28/tesla-to-open-robotaxi-service-to-public-in-austin-next-month
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