Tesla opens robotaxi service to public, but with certain restrictions

A ride without a driver?

Tesla has officially made its Robotaxi app available to the public, marking a big step in self-driving technology. But there’s an important catch: only iPhone users can access it right now.

Android users will have to wait for their turn, with no release date yet announced. Tesla shared the launch on Instagram, explaining that access will continue to expand gradually in the coming months.

How it all began

Tesla’s Robotaxi testing first rolled out in Austin, Texas, earlier this summer. For months, only influencers, investors, and members of the media were invited to ride.

The cars were limited to a geofenced area that avoided major locations, including the airport. Tesla says it is expanding service areas; the app now shows coverage in Austin and parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

First rides and fares

According to Motor Trend, Tesla shared a look at one of the earliest rides in Palo Alto, California, where the Robotaxi arrived in about five minutes. The ride lasted 10 minutes, showing how quickly the service could respond.

The cost for that trip was a flat $4.20, and no tipping option was included. Tesla’s website mentions that this pricing is subject to change as the service continues to develop.

Expanding into more cities

The app shows the Robotaxi service is currently available in Austin, Texas, with San Francisco being added as the next major location. Both cities are important testing grounds for self-driving technology.

Tesla hopes to eventually reach more areas as confidence in the system grows. The company is taking a cautious approach but has already signaled steady and deliberate expansion plans for the near future.

Safety drivers still present

Tesla included safety drivers during testing, with city trips requiring one in the passenger seat. For highway trips, a safety monitor sat in the driver’s seat ready to take over.

A new Texas law now requires safety drivers unless cars qualify as Level 4 or Level 5 autonomous. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving technology is rated only as Level 2, meaning it still needs human oversight.

Where Tesla stands now

Despite its progress, Tesla isn’t leading the robotaxi industry. According to MotorTrend, Alphabet’s Waymo already operates fully driverless cars in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.

Waymo also uses lidar and other safety features that Tesla doesn’t include. Tesla relies only on cameras, which creates additional regulatory scrutiny and pressure as it works to expand its Robotaxi program.

Comparing the competition

MotorTrend recently compared rides in Tesla’s Robotaxi and Waymo’s Jaguar I-Pace in Austin, Texas. The review found that while Tesla shows real promise, it still trails behind Waymo’s service in terms of performance and reliability.

Waymo has been operating fully driverless cars in multiple cities without safety drivers, while Tesla still depends on human monitors. Tesla continues to draw significant attention, but MotorTrend concluded that Waymo remains the clear leader in today’s self-driving market.

Musk’s big promises

Elon Musk has long promoted robotaxis as a central part of Tesla’s future success. He has suggested that Tesla owners could someday rent out their vehicles through a shared fleet to earn extra income.

For nearly a decade, Musk has promised that millions of autonomous Teslas would be driving worldwide in less than a year. Despite these repeated claims, that bold timeline has not yet become reality, leaving investors and customers waiting for a true large-scale rollout.

Saying goodbye to Dojo

Tesla confirmed that it has officially stopped work on its Dojo supercomputer project. The system was once described by Musk as critical for developing full self-driving technology with advanced data and AI capabilities.

Instead of pursuing Dojo, Tesla will now rely on external partners like Nvidia and other semiconductor suppliers to provide computing power. Some investors believe this decision reduces Tesla’s advantage, seeing it as a step back from being a technology leader.

Other automakers compete

Major companies, including Mercedes, BYD, Ford, GM, and Zoox, are making progress with their own robotaxi or driver-assist programs. This creates a crowded field where Tesla is no longer the only standout.

These rivals bring diverse strategies, from luxury approaches to mass-market solutions. Their advances increase pressure on Tesla to maintain momentum, especially since some competitors are moving faster in reaching official regulatory approvals.

App reaches iPhone first

Tesla launched its Robotaxi app first on Apple’s iOS platform, giving iPhone users early access. Downloading the app puts riders on a waitlist, with earlier downloads potentially leading to faster ride invitations.

The company confirmed that an Android version will arrive in the future, but did not provide a release date. This staggered rollout means only iPhone users can currently join, leaving Android users waiting for their chance to experience the service.

Bigger service area in Austin

According to Teslarati, Tesla has already expanded its Robotaxi service area in Austin three times within just three months. The newest update now covers about 190 square miles, a major jump from earlier zones.

This larger service area includes Giga Texas, the local airport, and new freeway access. These expansions represent a significant step forward as they move closer to everyday public use.

Freeway trips come with monitors

Tesla is beginning to add freeway routes for its Robotaxi service, marking a notable step in testing. However, these longer trips still require a safety monitor behind the wheel at all times.

For city trips, Tesla previously placed monitors in the passenger seat. It remains unclear whether that will continue for public riders, as the company has not provided a firm update.

More seats available

Third-party reports say Tesla raised capacity to three riders, but Tesla’s official rider rules haven’t publicly reflected this yet. This seemingly small change is actually a 50% jump in capacity and makes trips more flexible.

The increase means families, coworkers, or small groups of friends can now ride together. The shift helps make the service more practical for everyday transportation needs.

Teens now allowed

Tesla changed its rider policy to allow teens as young as 13 to ride, provided they’re accompanied by an adult. This opens the door to more families who want to use the service.

Previously, the minimum rider age was set at 18, which limited access. The new rule makes Robotaxi more family-friendly and practical for parents traveling with teenagers.

Want to know more? Tesla faces slow demand in India, with only around 600 orders placed so far.

Weight rules announced

Tesla introduced a maximum passenger weight limit of 800 pounds per car. This new policy is aimed at protecting the vehicles and maintaining smooth operations.

The rule is similar to guidelines used by traditional taxi services and ride-hailing companies. According to Not a Tesla App, Tesla says setting a clear weight limit helps prevent misuse and ensures safe rides.

Did you catch this? Tesla loses ground in Europe, but demand in Norway remains strong.

What do you think about Tesla’s moves? Share your thoughts below.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.