Tesla Robotaxi spotted in Austin with its biggest change after they first hit the roads
Published on Dec 17, 2025 at 4:47 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Dec 17, 2025 at 7:34 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Claire Reid
A Tesla Robotaxi with a major change has been spotted out on the road in Austin, as Elon Musk confirms a new phase.
It’s been a big year for Tesla’s autonomous taxi service.
The Robotaxis were launched in Austin, Texas, back in June, and have since rolled out to other cities, while expanding the areas it covers.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
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It looks like big changes are on the way for the Tesla Robotaxi
Although Tesla’s Robotaxis do offer autonomous driving, for now, they must have a safety driver onboard, unlike rivals Waymo, which has a fleet that operates completely autonomously.
The need to have a human driver inside while carrying passengers has been a bit of a sticking point for the company.
It even prompted some harsh words from former Waymo CEO John Krafcik, who suggested that without true autonomy, it was little more than an upgraded ride-hailing company.
“Please let me know when Tesla launches a robotaxi. I’m still waiting,” he said back in August.
However, now Tesla has taken another step towards removing its safety drivers.
A short clip showing a Tesla Model Y Robotaxi on the streets of Austin without a safety driver has been shared on X.
In the clip, the car’s steering wheel can be seen moving by itself while both the driver and passenger seats are empty.
Responding to the post, Musk confirmed that ‘testing is underway with no occupants in the car’, but didn’t share any further details.
The video also came to the attention of Tesla’s vice president of AI software Ashok Elluswamy, who wrote: “And so it begins!”
How soon could safety drivers be removed?
Back in September, Musk said the Robotaxis would operate without safety drivers ‘by the end of the year’.
The safety driver is just there for the first few months to be extra safe,” he wrote on X.
“Should be no safety driver by end of year.”
Last week, he reiterated that stance while speaking at a hackathon event for xAI.
“There will be Tesla Robotaxis operating in Austin with no one in them, not even anyone in the passenger seat, in about three weeks,” he said, according to Electrek.
If that timeline turns out to be accurate, we can expect to see safety-driver-free Tesla Robotaxis out and about before the New Year.
Timeline of the Tesla Cybercab
April 2023: Elon Musk first mentions the idea of a Tesla built specifically to be a Robotaxi
October 2024: Tesla unveils the Cybercab during its We, Robot event, showing a steering-wheel-free design
Late 2024: Tesla says the Cybercab will be built on its new low-cost platform
Mid-2025: The Tesla Robotaxi service is launched, using Model Y vehicles
October 2025: Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm says Cybercab may need a steering wheel and pedals under current US safety rules
November 6, 2025: Musk contradicts this, confirming Cybercab will not include manual controls
November 2025: NHTSA confirms Tesla has not applied for a needed exemption to legally operate a no-controls vehicle on public roads
Late 2025: Reports surface that Tesla’s next-gen hardware (AI5) won’t be ready until 2027, raising questions about Cybercab launch specs
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
