Image: Tesla
Tesla’s Robotaxi validation fleet has been spotted cruising the streets of Tempe, Arizona, fueling speculation that the Phoenix suburb could be one of the next proving grounds for the company’s autonomous ride-hailing service. Twitter user @adub0808 caught a Robotaxi test vehicle on the road, sharing footage on Tuesday.
While Tesla hasn’t officially confirmed testing in Tempe, the sighting comes as the company continues to gradually expand its Robotaxi program across the U.S. The autonomous service is currently operating without anyone behind the wheel in Austin, Texas, while in California’s Bay Area, it runs as a ride-hailing service with a safety driver present.
CEO Elon Musk has said Tesla expects to remove safety drivers by the end of this year, marking a major milestone toward fully autonomous operations.
At the same time, Tesla has been laying the groundwork for broader adoption. Last week, the company publicly rolled out its Robotaxi app on the App Store in the U.S. and Canada, giving users an early look at the interface for booking rides. Its Austin pilot also expanded to freeway driving for the first time earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Tesla was recently reported to be seeking approval to operate Robotaxis at the Bay Area’s three busiest airports, signaling how the company hopes to integrate the service into high-traffic hubs. Beyond Arizona, Tesla is also eyeing Chicago as a potential next Robotaxi market, going by a series of new job listings the company posted there.
With state regulators watching closely and pilot programs steadily expanding, Tempe could be Tesla’s latest testbed as it pushes toward a commercial launch of Robotaxi in more cities.
