Tesla CEO Elon Musk is gearing up for a major milestone: Musk wants to get rid of Tesla’s robotaxi babysitters ‘by the end of the year.’ The company is planning to remove safety monitors from its robotaxis in select areas while expanding the service to 8-10 new markets before 2025 wraps up.
“We are expecting to have no safety drivers in at least large parts of Austin by the end of this year,” Musk said during an earnings call. “Within a few months, we expect to have no safety drivers at all in parts of Austin. We’re obviously being very cautious about the deployment.”
What Are Tesla’s Robotaxi Babysitters?
Currently, Tesla’s robotaxis in Austin and San Francisco include human safety monitors equipped with a kill switch. In Austin, the monitor sits in the passenger seat, while in San Francisco, it’s in the driver seat.
Musk clarified that these human supervisors are only in place because Tesla is “paranoid about safety,” not due to technology shortcomings. “Even one accident will be front-page news worldwide, so it’s better to take a cautious approach,” he added.
Expanding Tesla Robotaxis Across the U.S.
Musk also revealed that Tesla aims to launch robotaxis in 8-10 new states before year-end, assuming no regulatory delays. Nevada, Florida, and Arizona are among the planned markets.
The exact number of robotaxis operating in Austin remains unclear. The last figure provided to state officials indicated about 20 active vehicles.
Why This Move Matters
Removing the human monitors marks a key step toward fully autonomous Tesla robotaxis. It signals growing confidence in Tesla’s AI systems and could accelerate the adoption of self-driving taxis in major U.S. cities.
As Musk pushes forward, Tesla’s robotaxi expansion could reshape the ride-hailing landscape and challenge competitors like Waymo, which already operates without human safety drivers.
Tesla enthusiasts and investors are now watching closely. Musk’s plan to remove robotaxi babysitters ‘by the end of the year’ could redefine both urban transportation and Tesla’s market presence in multiple states.
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