Tesla makes major change to Robotaxi as they begin traveling on Austin's highways
Published on Sep 04, 2025 at 7:43 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Sep 04, 2025 at 7:43 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Tesla has made a major change to its Robotaxi service as it recently began traveling on Austin’s highways, but not everyone is convinced it’s that impressive.
As of September 1, 2025, Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet began operating on highways around Austin, Texas, which is a significant step up from its surface-street-only pilot initiative.
The Robotaxi fleet had a real-life human person sitting in the front passenger seat called a Safety Monitor – someone who functions as a safety driver to take over in case the Full-Self-Drive puts passengers in danger.
The highway driving initiative moves the safety driver to the driver’s seat, which means at higher speeds, they can take over if there’s an issue much faster.
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Tesla makes major change to Robotaxi service using Austin’s highways
The Tesla Robotaxi service has been around for a little while, and it’s been mostly received with positivity, as it’s only had a few teething problems.
The EV automakers are expanding the service so that it’s now allowed to drive on Austin’s highways after previously only being allowed on surface streets.
The most notable change about this upgrade is the Safety Monitor – a real-life person who used to sit in the front passenger seat and step in in case the FSD stopped working properly.
However, with this new highway upgrade, the Safety Monitor will find themselves moved to the driver’s seat so that they can step in when the Robotaxi travels at higher speeds on the highway.
Robotaxis will be travelling on Austin’s highways
New regulations also came into effect from September, requiring tighter human oversight unless the service meets true Level 4-5 autonomy, and while Tesla says that its robotaxis are driverless, regulations say otherwise.
By placing a monitor in the car, the system is actually downgraded to Level 2 autonomy, which makes it compliant under Texas law.
Some critics have argued that the shift with the Safety Monitor was more about appearances rather than safety, and when they originally put the monitor in the passenger seat, it gave the illusion of autonomy.
Whether you think it’s truly autonomous or not, people in Austin should keep an eye out for Tesla Robotaxis on the highways now.
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Daisy Edwards is a Content Writer at supercarblondie.com. Daisy has more than five years’ experience as a qualified journalist, having graduated with a History and Journalism degree from Goldsmiths, University of London and a dissertation in vintage electric vehicles. Daisy specializes in writing about cars, EVs, tech and luxury lifestyle. When she's not writing, she's at a country music concert or working on one of her many unfinished craft projects.
