Tesla announced that unsupervised Full Self‑Driving is ready for its Austin robotaxi fleet, with safety monitors to be removed within three weeks. This marks the first public confirmation that Tesla’s autonomous software can operate without a human safety driver, a key milestone for the company’s robotaxi business.
Elon Musk said the company has "pretty much solved" unsupervised FSD and that the removal of safety monitors will begin in Austin, where the paid robotaxi service launched in June 2025. The move is expected to cut operating costs, lower liability exposure, and bring Tesla closer to meeting regulatory requirements for fully autonomous vehicles.
The announcement follows months of incremental software updates and pilot testing. Tesla’s vision‑only approach, which relies solely on cameras, is positioned as a cost‑effective alternative to LiDAR‑based systems used by competitors such as Waymo and Cruise. The company’s plan to deploy a significantly larger FSD model in January or February 2026 signals continued investment in AI capabilities.
Removing safety monitors from the Austin fleet also signals a shift toward a scalable, low‑cost robotaxi network that could generate new revenue streams. The decision aligns with Musk’s earlier statement that no safety driver would be needed by the end of the year, underscoring the company’s confidence in its autonomous technology.
Industry observers note that Tesla’s progress could reshape the competitive landscape. While Waymo already operates fully driverless fleets, Tesla’s lower hardware costs and rapid software iteration could give it a pricing advantage if the vision‑only system proves reliable in diverse operating conditions.
The announcement also highlights Tesla’s broader strategy to transition from a vehicle manufacturer to an AI and robotics company. By monetizing its autonomous software and expanding its robotaxi service, Tesla aims to diversify revenue beyond vehicle sales and capitalize on the growing demand for shared mobility solutions.
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