Tesla wants to launch its long-promised robotaxi program in Texas and is evaluating Austin, according to a new report.
The company’s efforts are reportedly focused on the state capital, where Tesla employees have been in discussion with city leaders since May. According to internal emails first reported on by Bloomberg, Tesla employees have also held training sessions with first responders to help familiarize authorities with autonomous vehicles.
While Tesla doesn’t operate any autonomous vehicles, the training sessions are a sign the company is following in the footsteps of other robotaxi companies. Rival Waymo also holds first responder training sessions in its operational cities.
Tesla is still developing its robotaxi program and isn’t testing any autonomous vehicles on public streets.
The company formally announced its entrance into the robotaxi field during an October event where Tesla showed off its prototype Cybercab and the newest version of its Optimus humanoid robot.
While Tesla and CEO Elon Musk want the Cybercab to roll out as soon as possible, government approval for robotaxi service could take years, and competitors like Waymo are already up and running in multiple states.
