Tesla is reportedly bringing a limited version of its robotaxi service to San Francisco

Tesla is set to introduce a limited version of its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend, following an initial rollout in Austin, Texas. The service will include a driver in the driver’s seat due to the lack of proper permits for fully driverless operation in California, and it remains unclear whether Tesla has obtained the necessary Public Utilities Commission approval to offer rides to the general public, as current permissions only allow rides for employees. Tesla plans to invite Tesla owners to test the service while pursuing regulatory approval in California amid ongoing legal challenges related to the company’s self-driving claims and safety concerns. The Austin rollout, which began in June 2025, operates with safety operators in the front passenger seat and is limited to downtown areas and main corridors, far from the fully autonomous vision CEO Elon Musk has long promoted. Musk has also indicated plans to expand the service to Florida and Arizona, where Tesla has started the certification process to test and operate robotaxis both with and without drivers. Despite years of development and bold