Tesla expands Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston

Tesla is rolling out its autonomous Robotaxi service to Dallas and Houston, expanding its footprint beyond its initial Austin market. The electric vehicle maker announced the expansion on social media platform X, posting maps showing small service areas in both Texas cities. Tesla initially launched its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, where the company is headquartered, with human safety monitors in the passenger seat. Earlier this year, Tesla began transitioning away from including safety monitors, allowing its Robotaxis to operate unsupervised and fully autonomous. The company showed a 360-degree panning shot with no safety monitor in its latest announcement but has not specified whether the Dallas and Houston service will include in-car human supervision. With the Texas expansion, Tesla is entering markets where Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service launched in February. Tesla is also targeting California's Bay Area for future Robotaxi expansion, though the company has received approval to operate a ride-hailing service in the state but not yet authorization for fully autonomous taxis.