Which Tesla product launched robotaxi services in Austin and San Francisco in 2025?

Tesla's foray into autonomous ride-hailing officially began in 2025 with the launch of its Robotaxi service, initially rolling out in Austin, Texas, in June, followed by a limited introduction in San Francisco in July. This innovative transportation offering leverages Tesla's advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to navigate urban environments and transport passengers. The introduction of Robotaxi represents a significant step towards the company's long-held vision of a fully autonomous ride-sharing network (Review).

The service's debut in Austin on June 22, 2025, utilized Tesla Model Y vehicles, which were equipped with the necessary FSD software to operate autonomously. While the initial phase in Austin included human "safety monitors" in the front passenger seat, the ultimate goal for Tesla's Robotaxi service is to achieve fully unsupervised operation, where vehicles can pick up and drop off passengers without any human intervention. The San Francisco launch in July 2025 also began with a supervised service.

The concept of an autonomous ride-hailing network has been a central part of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's long-term strategy, envisioning a future where vehicle owners could add their personal Teslas to a shared network to generate income. Beyond the current Model Y fleet, Tesla plans to integrate its purpose-built robotaxi, known as the Cybercab, into the service once it enters volume production. This ongoing development and expansion highlight Tesla's commitment to revolutionizing personal and public transportation through self-driving technology.