Tesla Announces Expansion of Robotaxi Service in Austin, Now Four Times Larger Than Original Deployment
In a significant expansion, Tesla’s robotaxi service has quadrupled its initial coverage area in Austin, Texas, now encompassing approximately 80 square miles. The expansion, which commenced on August 3, broadened the service’s reach to include more of the city’s southern region.
As reported by Tesla enthusiast Sawyer Merritt, this latest expansion nearly doubles the size of the previous extension that occurred in mid-July, which increased the service area from an initial 20 square miles to 42 square miles. Notably, Tesla’s rival, Waymo, covers approximately 90 square miles of Austin, according to industry sources.
The revised coverage map shows Tesla with a stronger presence in the southern part of the city, while Waymo’s service extends further into the north. This expansion also marks the elimination of a visual joke where the company’s coverage area previously resembled a certain anatomical feature when viewed from above.
During Tesla’s latest earnings call, CEO Elon Musk confirmed plans for expanding coverage areas, stating the aim to increase the Austin service area by tenfold compared to the initial rollout. Although no specific deadline was provided, Musk did express intentions to expand the robotaxi business to locations such as Arizona, Bay Area, Florida, and Nevada.
Musk also announced a goal to cover half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025, although achieving this target within the next five months seems unlikely due to regulatory approvals in various areas.
