Tesla Robotaxis in Austin Test Driverless Operations
Tesla reportedly began testing driverless robotaxis in Austin in December 2025 after earlier operating the service with safety drivers present. The initial months with human safety drivers were marked by numerous incidents, but regular passengers remained in supervised vehicles while driverless tests proceeded separately.
What happened
In June 2025, Tesla began operating a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas with Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (FSD) autopilot system, with a safety driver present.
On 14 December 2025, Elon Musk posted on X that testing was underway with no occupants in the car, and a driverless Model Y was sighted in Austin streets.
Reported impact
During the first weeks of operation with safety drivers present, the approximately ten to twenty robotaxis encountered numerous incidents that shook confidence in Tesla's autonomous driving capabilities.
Index analysis
Musk stated in early December 2025 that Tesla's robotaxis would operate without human passengers by year's end.
The driverless tests appeared to be limited to a small number of vehicles, with regular service users still able to ride only in vehicles with human safety drivers.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.