Tesla Expands Robotaxi Service with Limited Pilot in San Francisco

Tesla is launching a more limited version of its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend, following a similar, early rollout in Austin, Texas. The service will still require a safety driver in the vehicle, as Tesla lacks the necessary permits for driverless operations. Tesla is only allowed to offer these rides to employees for now, and it has not yet received the necessary approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for public rides. CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company is in the process of obtaining regulatory approval in California. Tesla’s robotaxi service in Austin began on June 22 and is still limited to downtown Austin with a handful of vehicles. The service includes a safety operator who can intervene if necessary. Musk’s grand vision for full autonomous driving is still a work in progress, and the limited rollout has not yet achieved the level of autonomy Musk has long promised. Tesla also has plans to expand this service to Florida and Arizona. However, the company is currently facing regulatory challenges, including a lawsuit over the self-driving promises Tesla made and a separate case involving Autopilot-related deaths.