Tesla is reportedly gearing up to launch its robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area as early as this weekend, according to an internal staff memo cited by Media. This move marks a significant expansion of Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing efforts, following a controlled test run in Austin, Texas, earlier this year.
The internal memo indicated that the launch timeline had been accelerated, with some Tesla owners expected to receive invitations to use the paid service as soon as Friday. The geofenced operational area for the robotaxis is said to be extensive, encompassing San Francisco, Marin, much of the East Bay, and stretching south to San Jose.
During a recent earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the company is seeking regulatory permission to launch robotaxis in several states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. However, California regulators have noted that Tesla has yet to apply for the necessary permits to pick up and charge passengers for rides in fully autonomous vehicles.
For this initial deployment in the Bay Area, Tesla’s robotaxis will reportedly operate with a safety operator in the driver’s seat. This approach is similar to how Tesla’s “Supervised Full Self-Driving” works for consumers, with the supervisor able to take manual control as needed.
Musk has emphasized shifting Tesla’s focus towards robots and self-driving taxis to counter declining sales of the company’s existing vehicle lineup. While the robotaxi business is still in its early stages, Tesla aims for it to have a “material impact” on the company’s business by the end of the year as it expands to new markets.
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