Tesla Robotaxi Completes First Unsupervised Rides in Austin, Musk Says

Tesla has announced the successful completion of its first fully unsupervised rides under its Robotaxi program in Austin. This milestone was achieved without a safety monitor present in the vehicle and without a trailing chase car, as reported by CEO Elon Musk and a rider who shared their experience.

Musk announced a significant achievement during Tesla’s fourth-quarter earnings webcast on January 28, revealing that the company successfully conducted its first rides without a safety monitor present in the vehicle in Austin. He stated, “These are paid rides.”

Tesla launched its Robotaxi pilot program in Austin in June 2025, featuring what the company called “Tesla Safety Monitors” installed in the vehicles. In December, Musk announced on X that testing had commenced “with no occupants in the car.”

David Moss, an autonomous-vehicle enthusiast from Cleveland, traveled to Austin to experience a fully driverless Tesla. Moss reported that he completed 57 rides prior to reaching his objective.

“The final two.” Moss reported in a Zoom interview that there were no occupants in the 58 and 59 vehicles, nor was there anyone trailing behind them.

Moss revealed that his father, who is visually impaired, inspires his fascination with autonomous vehicles. Moss stated, “AV could potentially restore him and many others their independence.”

Tesla, Inc. has announced in its fourth-quarter update that it intends to broaden its Robotaxi service to include Dallas, Phoenix, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas by the middle of 2026. Robotaxis are now in operation across the San Francisco Bay Area, equipped with safety drivers on board.

Tracking data from Austin indicates that the unsupervised fleet continues to face limitations. Ethan McKanna, an engineering student at Texas A&M University, has launched a community-focused platform called Robotaxi Tracker that compiles reports of autonomous vehicle sightings. 

According to a recent report, 58 Tesla autonomous vehicles are currently operating in Austin, with three classified as unsupervised.

Musk informed investors that the company is moving forward with caution. “We are exercising extreme caution in this matter, as our priority is to prevent any injuries or serious accidents during the process,” he stated.

In a recent statement, he suggested that Tesla owners might eventually be able to contribute their personal vehicles to the Robotaxi fleet, indicating that such participation could help reduce lease expenses. Musk has yet to disclose a timeline for implementing such a program.

The Austin pilot remains a critical testing site for Tesla as the company strives to expand its autonomous capabilities in Texas and beyond.