Tesla has taken a significant step towards achieving fully autonomous driving capabilities, with reports of its robotaxis operating without safety monitors on public roads in Austin.
For months, Tesla’s robotaxis in Austin and San Francisco have been equipped with safety monitors who have access to a kill switch in case of emergencies. However, these monitors are now being phased out as the company progresses in its autonomous driving technology.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had previously mentioned plans to remove the safety monitors by the end of 2025, and recent sightings of robotaxis operating without any occupants in the front seat confirm the company’s advancements in autonomous driving testing. This move aligns with Musk’s vision of Tesla achieving unsupervised driving capabilities in the near future.
While Tesla’s progress is notable, the company faces competition from Waymo, which has reported significant milestones in its commercial robotaxi service, including over 14 million paid rides in 2025 and plans to expand to 20 new cities soon.
As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology, the sight of robotaxis operating without safety monitors underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and its pursuit of fully autonomous vehicles.
Source: The Verge
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