Tesla’s Robotaxi service may be on the verge of yet another expansion in Austin, Texas. A recent spotting by Tesla enthusiast Joe Tegtmeyer revealed a Tesla validation vehicle in Marble Falls, a location well west of Austin and outside the current service area for both Tesla and rival Waymo.
While the exact purpose of Tesla’s presence in Marble Falls remains unclear, the timing and location strongly suggest that the electric vehicle maker could be in the process of validating new zones for autonomous ride-hailing. This potential expansion would mark the second increase in the Robotaxi service area since its launch just last month.
Earlier this week, Tesla made headlines by doubling its Robotaxi coverage in Austin, surpassing Waymo and extending the service boundaries into a distinctive phallic-shaped zone. However, Waymo quickly retaliated by expanding its own service area from North to South Austin, reclaiming the lead in the local self-driving competition.
Now, it appears that Tesla is gearing up for another move in this ongoing battle for dominance in Austin. While the company has not yet made any official announcements regarding a broader rollout, expanding the Robotaxi service from Austin would align with the rapid pace at which Tesla has been ramping up its operations in the city since the pilot launch in June.
As Tesla and Waymo continue to vie for control of the autonomous ride-hailing market in Austin, residents stand to benefit from increased access to faster, more affordable, and more widely available self-driving transportation options. Whether the recent sighting in Marble Falls is part of a larger expansion plan or simply routine validation remains to be seen. However, with the competitive landscape heating up between Tesla and Waymo, it seems likely that the Robotaxi map will soon see further growth.