Tesla to initiate public access to its robotaxi service in Austin city during the upcoming month
Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Service in Austin, Texas in September
Tesla is set to open its autonomous ride-hailing service to the general public in Austin, Texas, next month. This move comes after the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation issued a rideshare license to Tesla on September 1st, 2025, allowing the company to operate its Robotaxi network publicly under the new Texas state law regulating autonomous rideshare services[1][2][3][4].
The upcoming public launch will see the use of the Tesla Robotaxi app, allowing anyone with a Tesla account to access the service within specified areas[2]. Tesla has been running a limited, invite-only Robotaxi pilot in Austin since June 2025, which requires a safety driver[5]. However, with the public launch, this safety measure is expected to be phased out.
Regarding the expected release date for Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) version 14, the sources do not provide explicit information on this specific version’s launch date. However, Tesla’s robotaxi service currently uses FSD software in its pilot and is expected to improve with new FSD releases aligned with robotaxi deployment[4][5]. Based on Tesla’s recent pattern of updates and the timing of regulatory milestones, it is reasonable to infer FSD 14 or an equivalent iteration would be available or imminent by the time of the Robotaxi public launch in September 2025, but no exact official date was stated in the provided sources.
The open access of the Austin robotaxi service appears closely linked to the upcoming release of FSD version 14. This service expansion in Austin will serve as a large-scale real-world test for FSD 14. If Tesla achieves this timeline, moving from a limited beta program to a public release in just three months would be unusually fast for an autonomous vehicle service.
Autonomous vehicles remain unfamiliar to the vast majority of the population, making the Austin robotaxi service a significant step towards mainstream adoption of self-driving technology. If the public rollout in Austin proves successful, Tesla could expand its robotaxi operations to other U.S. cities, pending regulatory approvals. The public rollout of the Austin robotaxi service could introduce thousands of new riders to Tesla's technology and vehicles within weeks.
Recent job postings suggest Tesla is planning an aggressive expansion of its robotaxi service across the U.S. before the end of the year. Tesla's current robotaxi fleet in Austin consists of between 10-20 Model Y vehicles. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, announced the general availability of the robotaxi service on social media.
It's worth noting that Tesla runs a similar ride-hailing service in California's Bay Area, but it does not operate as a robotaxi service due to state regulations. Despite this, Tesla's autonomous driving technology continues to evolve, with the upcoming FSD version 14 anticipated to bring significant improvements to Tesla's self-driving capabilities.
References:
- Tesla Robotaxi Service Coming to Austin, Texas
- Tesla's Robotaxi Service to Be Open to the Public in Austin, Texas
- Tesla's Robotaxi Service in Austin, Texas: What We Know So Far
- Tesla's Austin Robotaxi Service Expansion Serves as Large-Scale Real-World Test for FSD 14
- Tesla's Robotaxi Service in Austin, Texas: A Look at the Current Pilot Program
- The expansion of Tesla's robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, further emphasizes the company's involvement in the transportation industry, intertwining it with the ever-evolving technology sector.
- With the impending public launch of its robotaxi service, Tesla is set to revolutionize the finance industry by potentially making it easier for people to afford transportation, thereby reducing personal vehicle ownership costs.
