Texas has authorized Tesla to launch driverless robot cabs

Texas officials have officially approved the operation of Tesla’s driverless cabs without an operator in the cabin. It is the first state in the US to grant the company full access to public roads for autonomous rides. The authorization is valid until August 2026.

The Tesla service previously operated in a limited mode, with limited routes and an insured driver in the cabin. Now, the company will only be able to use remote monitoring.

Full Autonomous Mode

Testing of Tesla’s unmanned cabs began in Austin. At that time, rides were only allowed in the presence of an operator who could take control at any time. The cars were also monitored from a remote control center.

Now those restrictions have been lifted. Tesla has been allowed to do away with drivers inside the cabin entirely, relying on software and remote monitoring. The new rules were passed thanks to a more loyal approach from Texas regulators, who have championed the development of autonomous vehicles.

Difference from other states

Texas has become the first state to give Tesla complete freedom to use unmanned cabs. California, despite significant progress in autonomous driving, still requires an employee behind the wheel.

The Texas permit opens the door for Tesla to scale the service across the state, making it a key market for robotaxi launches in the U.S.

Plans for New York

On the back of a successful push in Texas, Tesla has begun preparing the ground for an entry into New York. The company has already posted job openings for test drivers, which could indicate it’s preparing to launch a similar project on the East Coast.