Arizona on Tesla’s Radar
Tesla has kicked off discussions with Arizona regulators to certify its fully autonomous Robotaxi service. This step signals a bold push to expand beyond Texas, where the company’s pilot program is already live. According to Bloomberg, the Arizona Department of Transportation confirmed Tesla’s outreach — a clear sign that Arizona could be one of the next big markets for Robotaxi rides.
From Austin to Everywhere?
Tesla launched its pilot Robotaxi program in Austin on June 22. It began with a limited number of Model Y vehicles, each with a Tesla employee riding shotgun for safety. While it’s still a test, Elon Musk says things are just getting started. He announced plans to grow the fleet to around 1,000 vehicles in the coming months.
Next stop? The San Francisco Bay Area. Musk hinted on X (formerly Twitter) that a rollout there could happen within “a month or two,” pending approvals.
Cybercab: The Steering-Wheel-Free Future
Tesla’s long-promised Cybercab — a two-seater designed without a steering wheel — is closer than ever. Recent sightings near Giga Texas show castings of the Cybercab, suggesting trial production may already be underway. Musk has previously said that volume production is expected to start next year.
This will mark a major shift. Unlike the Model Y fleet used in the pilot, the Cybercab is built only for self-driving use.
California’s Turn is Coming
Tesla isn’t stopping at Texas and Arizona. In California, the company has applied for a permit to operate as a charter-party carrier. It’s starting small there, with employee-only rides in vehicles that still include safety drivers. But the goal is clear — full-scale autonomy, coast to coast.
Bottom Line:
Tesla’s Robotaxi project is gaining real momentum. With regulatory talks underway in Arizona and pilots expanding, the self-driving revolution may be arriving faster than anyone expected.
