The Tesla Robotaxi service is expanding its reach to a new U.S. state after receiving approval, as announced on Friday evening. Initially launched in Austin, Texas, the Robotaxi platform allowed Tesla to test a ride-hailing service without a driver in the driver’s seat. The focus has been on expanding the service area, increasing the fleet of Robotaxi vehicles, and growing the rider population since its public launch.
In addition to Texas and California, Tesla recently obtained permission to test its Robotaxi service in Nevada. Now, the company has gained regulatory approval in Arizona, making it the fourth state where Tesla can test autonomous vehicles on public roads. CEO Elon Musk has expressed the company’s goal of offering Robotaxi rides to around half of the U.S. population in the future.
The vehicles in Austin and the Bay Area of California are equipped with “Safety Monitors,” who are responsible for monitoring the vehicle’s operation. In Texas, the Safety Monitor sits in the passenger’s seat during city operation but moves to the driver’s seat when the car is on the highway. In California, the Safety Monitor remains in the driver’s seat at all times.
In Arizona, Tesla will also use Safety Drivers, implying that the monitor will be in the driver’s seat. However, the company has stated that only trained employees, contractors, or authorized individuals can operate or monitor the vehicles. This suggests that the Safety Monitor may be in either seat, similar to Tesla’s approach in Austin.
The approval in Arizona marks a significant milestone for Tesla, as it has received two new approvals in just two weeks. While regulatory hurdles remain a challenge for the company, progress is being made in gaining permissions to operate in new states. Overall, Tesla’s expansion of its Robotaxi service across the U.S. is progressing well, with the company aiming to offer autonomous rides to a wider population in the near future.