Tesla broadens Robotaxi accessibility, now available for registered testers in Austin
Tesla's much-anticipated Robotaxi program, which debuted in Austin, Texas on June 22, 2025, is expanding its reach beyond initial guests who were mainly influencers and Tesla advocates. The limited pilot, operating within a geofenced area of the city, initially featured a fleet of about 10 to 20 Model Y vehicles.
Since its launch, Tesla has been gradually inviting everyday drivers to participate as testers. Interested individuals can still register for early access via Tesla's official Robotaxi webpage (Tesla.com/robotaxi). This move toward public testers aims to collect real-world user feedback to refine and scale the service before a broader rollout.
The Robotaxi service, powered by Tesla's latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software stack, operates with no one in the driver's seat. However, a Tesla Safety Monitor is present in the passenger seat for every ride to ensure safety. The service currently excludes certain locations like the airport, and rides do not allow passengers to sit in the driver’s seat.
The expansion of the Robotaxi program signals a shift toward real-world user feedback from average consumers. One of the latest invitees is Austin-based Tesla fan Ethan, who is not a social media influencer or high-profile voice within the Tesla community. This suggests that Tesla is broadening access to public testers beyond the influencer crowd.
The Robotaxi program is currently running only in Austin, Tesla's de facto headquarters. It operates under geo-fencing conditions, with operational hours from 6 a.m. to midnight. The pilot excludes certain locations like the airport, and rides currently do not allow passengers to sit in the driver’s seat.
Tesla first began seeding Robotaxi invites in mid-June, offering Early Access exclusively to prominent Tesla advocates, YouTubers, and influencers. Since then, a second wave of Early Access invites has been sent out last week, suggesting that potential testers might get picked soon.
As Tesla continues to validate its fully autonomous system, the Robotaxi program is a significant step towards the eventual larger-scale deployment of its Robotaxi network. Interested individuals can still register for early access at Tesla's official Robotaxi page.
The Robotaxi program, as it expands beyond initial influencers and Tesla advocates, is now inviting everyday drivers to participate as testers, reflecting Tesla's shift towards real-world user feedback from a diverse demographic. Furthermore, this broadened access to public testers extends beyond the automotive industry and technology circles, venturing into the realm of finance and transportation as well.
