Tesla No Longer Needs Drivers!

In Austin, several Teslas have been spotted driving empty. A symbolic turning point for automotive autonomy.

In recent days, images and testimonies have rekindled an old fantasy from Silicon Valley: Teslas driving without a driver, or even a supervisor on board, on open roads. These scenes have been observed in Austin, Texas, where the American manufacturer is quietly conducting new tests of autonomous driving. For Tesla, this is a key step in realizing its Robotaxi project, announced several years ago.

Unlike previous testing phases, these vehicles—mainly Tesla Model Y—are said to be operating without a safety driver, a first publicly acknowledged by Elon Musk. Supervision would be provided remotely, through control centers capable of intervening in case of problems. Technologically, Tesla relies exclusively on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system based on camera vision, without lidar or radar, an approach that remains highly debated.

A key step towards total autonomy

From a regulatory perspective, these tests are made possible by a relatively lenient framework in Texas. However, this does not mean that Tesla is authorized to operate a commercial robotaxi service. These are limited tests, conducted on specific routes and with a restricted fleet. The distinction is crucial, as the term “driverless” can lead to confusion in public opinion.

Fundamentally, these first Teslas without visible drivers represent a significant symbolic milestone. They demonstrate that Tesla believes its system is mature enough to leave behind the traditional testing framework with a human onboard. However, many challenges remain: managing complex situations, unpredictable interactions, social acceptance, and, above all, validation by authorities.

This timing is not coincidental. Tesla is going through a more delicate period commercially, particularly in the United States, and is betting an increasing part of its industrial narrative on total autonomy and associated services. The Robotaxi is no longer just a technological promise, but a major strategic lever.

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