Tesla Robotaxis Begin Fully Driverless Tests in Austin
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company is now testing fully driverless robotaxis on the streets of Austin, Texas. Previously, these vehicles required a human safety monitor in the passenger seat, but a new video posted online appears to show a Tesla Model Y cruising completely empty. This marks a major milestone in Tesla’s push toward fully autonomous urban mobility.
Since their launch in Austin in June, Tesla robotaxis have always included a human operator. The removal of safety monitors had been announced by Musk, with the goal of transitioning to fully autonomous operation by the end of 2025. The latest footage has sparked excitement and curiosity among Tesla enthusiasts and industry observers alike.
Viral Video Shows Empty Robotaxi on Austin Streets
An X (formerly Twitter) user captured a Tesla robotaxi driving through Austin without anyone inside. The clip quickly gained traction online, prompting many Tesla fans to check the app to see if the robotaxi they ordered had a safety monitor. It did not, confirming Musk’s earlier claims about the upcoming fully autonomous rollout.
Tesla’s response to the video was simple yet telling: “Just saying.” The company’s AI chief, Ashok Elluswamy, also commented, posting on X, “And so it begins!” These reactions hint at Tesla’s confidence in the reliability of its AI-driven system, even without human supervision.
Tesla’s Robotaxi Fleet Expands in Austin
According to Robotaxi Tracker, an Austin-based monitoring service run by Ethan McKenna, the number of active Tesla robotaxis in the city has increased from 29 in November to 31 today. Musk has stated that Tesla aims to expand the fleet to 500 cars in Austin by the end of the year, showing the company’s ambitious growth plans for its autonomous ride-hailing service.
Despite the recent advancements, full deployment for paying customers without safety monitors is still in testing phases. Tesla is carefully monitoring performance before allowing commercial rides, ensuring the technology meets safety and regulatory standards.
Musk Confirms Timeline for Removing Safety Monitors
Speaking at an xAI hackathon last week, Musk reiterated that Tesla intends to remove human safety monitors from its robotaxis by the end of the year. “There will be Tesla robotaxis operating in Austin with no one in them, not even anyone in the passenger seat, in about three weeks,” Musk said, according to Teslarati.
The move toward fully driverless vehicles is consistent with Tesla’s long-term vision of creating a scalable robotaxi network. It also positions Tesla as a leader in the autonomous vehicle space, challenging rivals like Waymo, Cruise, and Rivian.
Early Tests Reveal Challenges on the Road
While Tesla is confident in its AI, early tests in Austin have highlighted the complexity of urban driving. A Business Insider test in July showed the robotaxi requiring multiple interventions from the human safety monitor, including moments when the car navigated the wrong way down a one-way street. These incidents underscore the importance of careful testing before full public deployment.
Removing safety monitors entirely will be a critical step in demonstrating that Tesla’s system can handle the unpredictable conditions of city streets without human intervention.
Industry Experts Weigh In on Tesla’s Progress
Experts in autonomous driving see Tesla’s move as both bold and risky. James Philbin, Rivian’s VP of autonomy and AI, has noted that the cost of lidar and other sensor technologies has decreased dramatically, making advanced safety systems more feasible. Meanwhile, Rivian’s approach integrates AI as a logical extension of vehicle design, highlighting the broader industry trend toward autonomous capabilities.
Tesla’s approach, which relies heavily on its proprietary camera and neural network system, contrasts with competitors that often use lidar for added redundancy. The coming weeks will reveal whether Tesla’s camera-first strategy can safely scale to commercial driverless operations.
Public Reaction: Excitement and Skepticism
The release of the video showing a driverless Tesla robotaxi generated a wave of excitement online. Enthusiasts shared clips, speculated about service availability, and debated the readiness of Tesla’s AI systems. However, there is also skepticism, particularly around safety concerns and regulatory compliance.
Public confidence will play a crucial role in Tesla’s ability to scale the service. While enthusiasts are eager to try the technology, widespread adoption will require consistent safety performance and transparency from the company.
Tesla’s Long-Term Vision for Robotaxis
Tesla envisions a future where its robotaxi network operates 24/7, providing a convenient, cost-effective alternative to traditional ridesharing. By removing human monitors, Tesla aims to lower operational costs and increase fleet efficiency, bringing autonomous rides to more cities over time.
Musk has repeatedly emphasized that the robotaxi fleet is not just about convenience—it is part of Tesla’s strategy to revolutionize urban transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
Fully autonomous robotaxis will face scrutiny from local and federal regulators. Tesla has yet to clarify when paying customers will be able to ride in fully driverless cars, though testing in Austin suggests the company is preparing for eventual approval.
Safety incidents during early tests could impact regulatory timelines, making careful monitoring essential. Tesla’s AI system will need to demonstrate consistent performance under varied traffic and weather conditions to gain widespread approval.
What’s Next for Tesla Robotaxis
In the coming weeks, Tesla is expected to expand driverless testing, refine its AI, and increase fleet numbers in Austin. Musk’s statements indicate that commercial deployment without human operators may soon follow, although public rides will likely start cautiously.
For now, Tesla enthusiasts and industry watchers will be closely monitoring the streets of Austin, eager to see whether the vision of fully autonomous, empty robotaxis becomes a reality.
