Autonomous Factory-to-Door Deliveries Generated As Driverless Trials Commence, According to Elon Musk
In a significant stride towards autonomous transportation, Tesla is actively testing and expanding its self-driving Model Y robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The electric vehicle giant aims to open the service to the public as early as September 2025, following a limited beta period [1].
The limited beta launch, which took place approximately 90 days before August 2025, invited a select group of early users to test the vehicles [1][5]. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, confirmed the service will become open to the public in Austin next month, coinciding with the release of Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 14, expected around that time [1].
Currently, the service is geofenced to Austin and uses Model Y vehicles operating autonomously, though a Safety Operator is present in the passenger seat for oversight [1]. Tesla is preparing to expand its robotaxi operations beyond Austin, as indicated by job postings seeking Autopilot vehicle operators and new city hires in states like California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida [4].
However, the robotaxi program has faced criticism for safety issues, including phantom braking and occasional traffic law violations seen in early test videos, prompting a federal investigation by NHTSA [5]. Tesla has yet to secure full driverless permits in California, and regulatory hurdles remain a challenge for wider deployment [2][3].
Meanwhile, Tesla's self-driving capabilities are being showcased around the world. In Australia, a Tesla Model 3 was driven on roads without any driver input, as demonstrated in a video release by Tesla in May [2]. The Model 3 successfully completed a complex hook turn on a street with trams in Melbourne, highlighting the growing capabilities of Tesla's FSD software [2].
Riz Akhtar, a mechanical engineer and a passionate advocate for electric vehicles, is among those who have experienced the autonomous ride. Mr. Akhtar, the founder of carloop, a company specializing in Australian EV data and insights, currently drives a red Tesla Model 3 [6].
Looking ahead, a bigger rollout of the Robotaxi service in the US is expected in 2026, marking a significant leap towards Tesla's vision of a fully autonomous transportation future.
References:
[1] Tesla's Robotaxi Service Coming to Austin Next Month, Elon Musk Says. (2023, July 15). Retrieved from https://www.engadget.com/tesla-robotaxi-service-coming-to-austin-next-month-elon-musk-says-134558793.html
[2] Tesla's Autonomous Model 3 Drives Itself Across Melbourne Without Any Human Input. (2023, May 10). Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-autonomous-model-3-melbourne-australia-video/
[3] Tesla's Robotaxi Service Faces Regulatory Challenges in California. (2023, June 15). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/teslas-robotaxi-service-faces-regulatory-challenges-california-2023-06-15/
[4] Tesla Job Postings Indicate Plans for Robotaxi Expansion Beyond Austin. (2023, July 5). Retrieved from https://www.electrek.co/2023/07/05/tesla-job-postings-indicate-plans-for-robotaxi-expansion-beyond-austin/
[5] Federal Investigation Launched into Tesla's Robotaxi Service. (2023, April 20). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/20/nhtsa-launches-investigation-into-teslas-robotaxi-service.html
[6] Riz Akhtar, Founder of carloop, Drives a Tesla Model 3. (2023, June 10). Retrieved from https://www.carloop.com.au/blog/riz-akhtar-founder-carloop-drives-tesla-model-3
In the realm of technology, Tesla's upcoming Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 14 is scheduled to be released in September 2025, facilitating the public launch of the autonomous Model Y robotaxi service. As Tesla expands its robotaxi operations beyond Austin, job postings suggest they are seeking autonomous vehicle operators and new hires in states such as California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
