Tesla continues to make strides in its Robotaxi pilot program in Austin, Texas, with the recent expansion of its geofence marking another significant milestone in the project’s development. This latest expansion, identified by Tesla enthusiast @SawyerMerritt on X, follows closely on the heels of a previous update just three weeks prior that nearly doubled the size of the service area.
The expanded geofence now reaches even further south than before, encompassing more neighborhoods and major roadways while refining the boundaries of the previous geofence shape. Tesla has significantly increased its coverage footprint in Austin, quadrupling its service area in just six weeks.
Tesla’s rapid deployment pace is evident in its recent developments. Following the last expansion in Austin, the company introduced dynamic pricing for Robotaxi rides and launched the service in the San Francisco Bay Area, albeit with a human safety driver still present.
A comparison between Tesla’s and Waymo’s Robotaxi geofences in Austin reveals that Tesla is now competing more evenly with its rival. Waymo’s recent massive expansion primarily covers northwest Austin, while Tesla’s updated footprint spans a broader area of the city, extending southward and covering key transportation routes.
Reports indicate that Tesla is considering additional Robotaxi deployments in various cities across the United States, including Brooklyn, Houston, Tempe, Henderson, Tampa, Clermont, and Miami. With the continuous expansions and refinements to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, Tesla is clearly pushing forward with its driverless ambitions.
Currently, Robotaxi rides in Austin remain in pilot testing, with a Tesla Safety Monitor situated in the front passenger’s seat, supported by a remote operator ready to intervene in case of an emergency.
As Tesla continues to expand its Robotaxi program and refine its autonomous driving technology, the future of self-driving vehicles appears to be closer than ever before. Stay tuned for more updates on Tesla’s innovative advancements in the realm of autonomous transportation.