Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin is taking steps toward inclusivity, with a new accessibility section now appearing in the mobile app (via @SawyerMerritt). While the app currently directs users to CapMetro Access and Lone Star Medical Transportation for wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) rides, the new section confirms that Tesla is actively working on its own accessibility rides.
Accessibility has long been one of the biggest hurdles for autonomous ride-hailing services. To meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, operators must ensure that riders who use wheelchairs and have other mobility needs can be accommodated. Most competitors in the space have struggled to meet those requirements.
Tesla’s mention in the app marks its clearest acknowledgment yet that accessibility is part of the company’s core Robotaxi roadmap. By telling users that WAV rides are in the works, Tesla is signaling that it intends to design an in-house solution that could integrate directly into its Robotaxi fleet, rather than relying solely on third-party providers.
In the meantime, the company points riders toward two local services. CapMetro Access is Austin’s paratransit program, offering door-to-door rides for eligible riders with disabilities. Lone Star Medical Transportation, meanwhile, provides non-emergency medical transport across the Austin area, specializing in wheelchair and bariatric services. By referencing these providers, Tesla ensures that users have immediate options while it builds out its own accessibility-focused offering.
The update comes as Tesla rapidly expands its Robotaxi footprint. The company launched its first pilot program in Austin earlier this year, expanding service to include freeway routes in June. Just last week, Tesla secured approval to begin testing Robotaxis in Nevada, and reports indicate the company is eyeing major airports in the Bay Area for upcoming deployments. In Austin, Tesla has also started offering Robotaxi rides for vehicle pick-ups at Giga Texas.
With accessibility now on the roadmap, Tesla is making abundantly clear that its Robotaxi expansion will be designed to include everyone from the start — a move that could give it an edge over rivals.
