As it prepares to begin rolling out the highly anticipated Version 14.0 of its (Supervised) Full Self Driving software, Tesla continues accelerating the deployment of its robotaxi service across multiple US states.
Since launching robotaxi rides in South Austin to select customers with a significant following, the company has secured more permits and begun pilot launches in a growing number of cities.
Tesla was recently authorized to begin testing in both Nevada and Arizona.
The company started offering Robotaxi rides earlier this Summer with an employee seated in the front passenger seat.
Elon Musk said recently on X that safety drivers were implemented for “extra safety,” adding that they should be removed “by end of year.”
Additionally, job postings on its website show that Tesla is seeking Vehicle Operators across several cities in Florida, Illinois, California, Texas, Nevada and Arizona.
“We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter to join our vehicle data collection team,” one of the listings reads.
At its website, Tesla is currently hiring vehicle operators in Chicago (IL), Tampa and Miami (FL), Oakland (CA), Henderson (NV), among several other cities across California and Texas.
“As a Prototype Vehicle Operator, you will be responsible for driving an engineering vehicle for extended periods, conducting dynamic audio and camera data collection for testing and training purposes,” the company added in the job listing.
Politico reported earlier this month that Tesla has approached the three main airports in Silicon Valley to explore permission to drop off passengers, a step towards the fully autonomous mobility.
On August 6, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said the company was “working as quickly as possible to get 100+ Teslas operating for autonomous ride-hailing (can’t use the word ‘taxi’ or ‘cab’ in California) in the Bay Area and allow anyone to request a ride.”
Musk told investors in July that robotaxis would expand at a “hyper-exponential rate,” with the goal of serving “half the population of the U.S.” by year-end.
“We are getting the regulatory permission to launch in the Bay Area, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and a number of other places,” he said on the July 23 earnings call.
“As we get the approvals and prove out safety, we will be launching the autonomous ride-hailing across most of the country,” he added.
Arizona has become another focal point.
Robotaxi validation runs were spotted in Tempe earlier this month, highlighting Tesla’s push to establish operations in the state.
Nevada also joined the list of states this month.
The Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed Tesla’s application for its Testing Registry was submitted on September 3 and approved a week later.
The approval, which allows Tesla to begin autonomous vehicle testing, positions Nevada as the company’s next proving ground as it looks to expand operations beyond Austin and the Bay Area.
Expansion in some states may not rely on the same regulatory path.
Certain states do not appear to require permits, while in New York Tesla has not applied for one yet. Even so, the company has posted job listings for safety drivers in Brooklyn and Queens, signaling intent to enter the market.
Tesla has also broadened access to the service.
The company recently raised the maximum passenger limit per ride to three, up from two, and now permits riders aged 13 to 17 with parental consent. Total passenger weight is capped at 800 pounds.
In Texas, the service is being woven into sales operations.
Starting from last week, customers picking up vehicles at Tesla’s new Giga Texas delivery center were invited to arrive via robotaxi.
“Be among the first to take an autonomous ride in Robotaxi at the end of September,” Tesla wrote in a message to buyers, promising families an early demonstration of its latest technology before collecting their Model Y.
