EV, Tesla

Tesla makes history in Austin with first public Robotaxi rides without a safety monitor

Published on Jan 31, 2026 at 3:55 PM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid

Last updated on Jan 29, 2026 at 8:14 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Kate Bain

Tesla has hit a major milestone with its Robotaxi service, as it rolls out rides without a safety monitor for the first time in Austin. 

Tesla launched its highly anticipated autonomous taxi service back in June. 

Since its launch in Austin, the Robotaxi service has been introduced in San Fransico, and has a total fleet of around 135 EVs. 

Now, in a huge move for the company, it’s offering its first completely autonomous rides in Austin. 

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Riders in Austin can take a Tesla Robotaxi without a safety monitor

When Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet was launched, it did offer autonomous trips, but also required a safety monitor onboard – unlike rival driverless taxi company Waymo. 

This led to some people suggesting that the autonomous service was little more than a regular taxi service, and even sparked some strong words from former Waymo CEO John Krafcik. 

Tesla has hit a major milestone with its Robotaxi service, as it rolls out rides without a safety monitor for the first time in Austin
Tesla

“Please let me know when Tesla launches a robotaxi. I’m still waiting,” he said, pointing to the company’s need to have a safety driver on board.

But back in December, eagle-eyed motorists spotted Tesla Robotaxis out on the road without anyone inside, prompting the company to confirm that its fully autonomous testing was underway. 

And just a few weeks on, it seems as though this test phase was a success, as Tesla has now officially introduced public rides without the safety monitor. 

One rider recently shared footage of themselves inside an empty Robotaxi on X. 

“I am in a Robotaxi without a safety monitor,” they wrote alongside the video. 

Tesla’s AI chief, Ashok Elluswamy, reshared the clip and confirmed that rides without a safety monitor were being introduced across Austin. 

“Robotaxi rides without any safety monitors are now publicly available in Austin,” he wrote. 

“Starting with a few unsupervised vehicles mixed in with the broader Robotaxi fleet with safety monitors, and the ratio will increase over time.”

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But where is the Cybercab?

For now, the Tesla Robotaxi service fleet is made up of Model Ys, but the long-term plan is to launch the purpose-built Cybercab.

The Cybercab was unveiled at the 2024 We, Robot event and looked like it had just rolled right out of the year 3000. 

The prototype of the gold and black vehicle showcased a unique cabin without a steering wheel or pedals.

Tesla has hit a major milestone with its Robotaxi service, as it rolls out rides without a safety monitor for the first time in Austin
Tesla

But late last year, Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm announced that the EV could be launched with ‘a steering wheel and pedals — if we have to’.

These comments were quickly shut down by Elon Musk, who reiterated that Cybercab wouldn’t have pedals or a steering wheel by the time it went into production. 

As for when that’ll be, the company has said it’s on track for its Q2 2026 release, with mass production slated to kick off next year. 

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With a background in both local and national press in the UK, Claire moved to New Zealand before joining the editorial team at Supercar Blondie in May 2024. As a Senior Content Writer working on New Zealand Standard Time (NZST), Claire was the first writer on the team to make the site’s output a slick 24/7 operation covering the latest in automotive news.