Tesla has announced the extension of its operating area for robot taxis in Austin (Texas), continuing its offensive in the field of autonomous vehicles. This decision comes against a backdrop of falling global sales and increasing competition in the electromobility market.
Extension of robotaxis confirmed in Austin
According to the Austin American-Statesman, Elon Musk has said that Tesla will expand the geographical area served by its robot taxis in the city of Austin. The service, initially limited to a restricted area since 22 June 2025, will cover a wider area in the coming days. For the time being, the vehicles will continue to operate with a safety driver on board, in accordance with local regulations.
A response to a difficult economic climate
This announcement comes at a time when Tesla is facing a drop in its worldwide deliveries. The company sold 384,122 vehicles in the second quarter of 2025, down 13.5% on the same period last year.
Despite this context, the market reacted positively to the announcement of the expansion of robot taxis. Tesla shares rose by 4.7% on the stock market after Elon Musk’s statement.
Grok chatbot integration under scrutiny
At the same time, Musk confirmed that Tesla plans to integrate the Grok chatbot, developed by xAI, into its vehicles in the near future. This functionality will be available with the next update of the on-board systems.
However, the integration of Grok is raising questions. Users have reported inappropriate responses from the chatbot in certain situations. The company has not detailed the measures planned to govern this integration.
Robotaxis still subject to strict regulations
The development of robot taxis in the United States is still subject to strict regulations. Since the incidents involving Cruise (a subsidiary of General Motors) in 2023, several states, including California, have tightened the conditions for testing autonomous vehicles. Tesla, which has not yet obtained a licence to operate without a safety driver, is still being closely monitored by local regulators.
