Image: Tesla
Tesla may be preparing to launch its long-awaited Robotaxi service in San Francisco as soon as this weekend, according to an internal memo viewed by Business Insider. The memo, reportedly sent to staff on Thursday, outlines a sudden timeline acceleration and plans to invite select Tesla owners in the Bay Area to start booking paid Robotaxi rides as early as Friday.
Unlike Tesla’s current Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas — which uses safety monitors in the passenger seat with backup support from remote operators — the Bay Area launch would put Tesla Safety Monitors behind the wheel, with full access to the steering wheel and brake pedal. This key difference could allow Tesla to sidestep stricter driverless testing requirements, at least initially.
The service will be available within a large geofenced zone that includes San Francisco, Marin, the East Bay, and extends south to San Jose. While Tesla currently holds a permit to test its autonomous driving system with a safety driver in California, the California DMV said the company has not applied for a driverless testing or deployment permit. It remains unclear if Tesla will need additional approvals to operate a paid Robotaxi service with a human monitor behind the wheel.
Since launching its Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Tesla has already doubled the service area, and a Robotaxi validation vehicle was recently spotted testing well outside the current geofence — hinting at yet another potential expansion in the works. The company’s Robotaxi ambitions don’t stop at California — Tesla is also in talks to expand the service to Phoenix, Arizona, and Nevada, according to earlier reports.
During Tesla’s Q2 earnings call this week, CEO Elon Musk promised that “half the population of the U.S.” will have access to the Robotaxi service by the end of the year. He also noted that the initial Bay Area launch would include a safety operator in the front seat.
Tesla’s Robotaxi push comes as it faces declining revenue and investor pressure, with shares dropping over 8% following its earnings release.
