Tesla CEO Musk confirms Robotaxi will be fully open to the public in September
Tesla CEO Musk confirms Robotaxi will be fully open to the public in September
Release Date: August 11, 2025
Source: Joey Klender / Teslarati
Core Message
- Musk confirmed : Anyone will be able to request the Tesla Robotaxi service starting in September 2025.
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background :
- The Robotaxi platform launched on a small scale in Austin, Texas on June 22 .
- Over the past month and a half, the service scope and testing population have been gradually expanded.
- It was also opened in the Bay Area of California, but the California version has a safety monitor in the driver's seat , while the Texas version has no driver at all.
Public Beta Program
- Musk said on X (formerly Twitter):
“It will be open access next month.”
- Initially, we will adopt an invitation-only system, and the slow expansion is to prioritize safety .
- Tesla is confident in its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system , but believes even a single accident could set back self-driving development by years, so it's proceeding with caution.
Musk's Q2 earnings conference speech
"We have to make sure the vehicle works properly when we have full control... We are paranoid about safety. I am confident that next year anyone will be able to add or remove their vehicle from the Tesla Robotaxi fleet."
Current Situation and Challenges
- Austin : There were only 11 vehicles at the start, and the number has gradually increased since then, but the number is still limited.
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Main bottlenecks :
- The fleet size is insufficient to meet the demand after full opening.
- More safety monitors are needed (riding in the passenger seat to monitor operations).
- Geographic scope : Austin's service area has expanded twice, nearly doubling each time.
- Short-term goal : Gradually expand geofence in Austin and the Bay Area, and open it to all users in September.
Safety-first strategy
- Tesla has always maintained a conservative pace of expansion to ensure that real road data can verify the reliability of the system.
- The long-term goal is to allow car owners to add their Teslas to the Robotaxi fleet and become part of a shared self-driving operation.
Key points table
| project | Details |
|---|---|
| Startup time | June 22, 2025 (small-scale launch in Austin) |
| Public Hours | September 2025 (fully open) |
| Service Area | Austin, Texas, and the Bay Area, California |
| difference | Texas: No driver; California: Safety monitor |
| challenge | Insufficient fleet and shortage of safety monitors |
| Security Policy | Slowly expand and strictly control the number and scope of tests |
| Long-term vision | Car owners can join/exit the Tesla Robotaxi fleet |
Source: teslarati
