Tesla Launches Driverless Robotaxis in Dallas and Houston

TESLA INC has officially expanded its robotaxi operations to Dallas and Houston, according to an announcement made on Saturday. This development signifies a major step in the electric vehicle manufacturer's autonomous driving strategy within the United States, building upon the service's initial launch in Austin, Texas, last year. The company's dedicated robotaxi account on X showcased the launch with video demonstrations of Model Y SUVs operating autonomously on public roads without human intervention or safety monitors. Although the company provided maps illustrating the service areas for the two new Texas hubs, it did not release specific information regarding the number of vehicles deployed or the cost to passengers. > \"Try Tesla Robotaxi in Dallas & Houston!\" The move by Tesla occurs as the autonomous transport sector sees renewed activity from major tech rivals. ALPHABET INC-CL A through its Waymo subsidiary and AMAZON.COM INC via Zoox are both aggressively expanding their footprints in the robotaxi market. The successful scaling of autonomous services and the integration of Full Self-Driving software are viewed as critical components of Tesla's future. CEO Elon Musk has increasingly prioritized artificial intelligence and robotics over traditional vehicle manufacturing, a pivot that accounts for much of the company's current $1.3 trillion valuation. Tesla's expansion follows a phased approach that began with limited testing in Austin using human safety monitors. The company has since transitioned to removing these monitors and widening its service boundaries. This follows the introduction of a ride-hailing platform in the San Francisco Bay Area last year. While Musk continues to push for rapid expansion, the company is still working toward earlier goals of achieving widespread operations across various metropolitan regions.