TLDRs;
- Tesla plans robotaxi launches in 8–10 states by 2025, keeping human safety monitors in vehicles.
- Austin robotaxis have driven over 250,000 miles; San Francisco fleet surpasses one million miles.
- Expansion depends on state regulatory approvals and safety monitoring compliance.
- Human operators will remain in vehicles for driverless services in new markets.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has revealed ambitious plans to expand the company’s robotaxi service into eight to ten new states by the end of 2025.
The expansion, which will include markets such as Nevada, Florida, and Arizona, represents a major step in Tesla’s vision for a nationwide autonomous ride-hailing network.
Speaking during Tesla’s earnings conference call Wednesday, Musk emphasized that while Tesla’s robotaxis currently operate with human safety monitors in Austin and San Francisco, future deployments will maintain these monitors regardless of local regulations.
“Safety is our priority,” Musk told investors, adding that monitors serve as a precaution to ensure passengers’ well-being.
Human Monitors Remain for Safety
Unlike competitors such as Waymo, which operate fully driverless in some regions, Tesla’s approach continues to involve human oversight.
Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s VP of AI software, stated that the Austin fleet alone has accumulated over 250,000 miles, while San Francisco vehicles have driven more than one million miles.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of vehicles in operation, though earlier reports indicated around 20 robotaxis in Austin. Musk noted that future expansion to other states will require regulatory approval, highlighting that the company must comply with each state’s autonomous vehicle (AV) guidelines.
Regulatory Approval Key to Launch
Despite Musk’s optimism, Tesla faces hurdles in states like California, where commercial driverless operations are strictly regulated.
To operate fully autonomous, passenger-carrying robotaxis, Tesla would need both a California DMV Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Permit and CPUC driverless deployment authorization. Currently, Tesla holds a drivered testing permit, which allows autonomous operation only with a human safety driver and prohibits paid services.
For upcoming launches, Tesla plans to include human monitors even in regions where full driverless operations could be legally permitted. This strategy allows the company to meet safety requirements while gradually building experience in new markets.
Scaling Human Oversight Across States
As Tesla expands, coordinating safety operators will be critical. HR technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms may play a significant role in building platforms for hiring, training, scheduling, and compliance of AV safety staff.
Teleoperations and incident management vendors could also benefit, as robotaxi fleets will require remote monitoring and rapid intervention capabilities during early deployment phases.
With Austin operations already surpassing a quarter-million miles, Tesla’s roadmap to eight to ten states could involve managing dozens, if not hundreds, of safety operators. The move demonstrates Tesla’s careful balance between advancing autonomous technology and maintaining public confidence in safety.
Tesla’s expansion plan signals a bold move toward wider adoption of autonomous mobility while navigating regulatory challenges and operational logistics. If successful, it could mark a transformative period for ride-hailing and the broader autonomous vehicle industry.
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