This City Might Present Tesla's Most Difficult Robotaxi Challenge So Far | Carscoops
The San Francisco service is expected to commence within a restricted, geofenced zone.
6 hours ago
by Brad Anderson
Tesla needs to secure state permits to initiate its robotaxi service in San Francisco.
The steep streets and dense population of the California city will pose difficulties for autonomous technology.
The Austin pilot operates within a geofenced area and has human safety drivers in every Tesla robotaxi.
Launching a robotaxi service in a major urban area has long been a significant milestone for autonomous driving technology. Last month, Tesla took a step toward this goal by discreetly launching a small-scale robotaxi program in Austin, Texas.
While the service is still limited in scope, and footage has shown the autonomous Model Ys making some questionable maneuvers, Elon Musk is already looking to broaden their efforts. His next aim? The San Francisco Bay Area.
Musk announced this on X in response to a question about potential expansion into San Francisco. He mentioned that Tesla is “waiting on regulatory approvals,” but indicated the service will “probably [launch] in a month or two.”
Tesla is likely to maintain a similar cautious strategy in San Francisco as it has in Austin. Currently, the Austin pilot operates within a narrowly defined geofenced area, and each vehicle has a human safety supervisor in the passenger seat. Musk noted in a recent X post that the Austin service's coverage will expand this weekend, although he did not specify how much additional area it will include.
San Francisco is expected to be a more difficult environment for Tesla’s self-driving technology. The city has a much higher population density and more complex roads, primarily due to its steep hills and challenging topography.
Stricter Regulations
In contrast to Texas, where autonomous services encounter relatively few limitations, California imposes stricter oversight. To operate in San Francisco, Tesla will require approvals from both the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission, as reported by Reuters.
Moreover, with Waymo already providing its own robotaxi service in the city for some time, Tesla will have to navigate not only regulatory requirements but also public perception and competition. Gaining the confidence of San Francisco riders might be just as essential as gaining the trust of regulators.
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This City Might Present Tesla's Most Difficult Robotaxi Challenge So Far | Carscoops
The service in San Francisco is expected to commence within a restricted, geofenced zone.