Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock rose about 4% after CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the company has begun testing fully driverless Robotaxi vehicles in Austin, Texas. In a post on X, Musk shared footage showing Tesla vehicles operating on public roads with no human occupants or safety monitors inside.
The testing marks a milestone in Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing ambitions, though the vehicles are not yet carrying paying passengers and the tests remain developmental. Tesla currently offers supervised ride services in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, with human operators present to intervene if needed.
Tesla aims to expand its Robotaxi network over time, positioning the service as a long-term growth opportunity beyond traditional electric vehicle sales. However, the company remains behind rival Waymo, which already operates large-scale unmanned ride-hailing services across multiple U.S. cities.
Shares traded near year-to-date highs as investors reacted positively to the driverless testing milestone. Analysts remain divided on how quickly Tesla can commercialize the Robotaxi platform and begin generating meaningful revenue from the service.
#Investor Takeaway
The start of unmanned Robotaxi testing highlights progress in Tesla’s autonomous driving efforts, a key long-term narrative for the stock.
#Market Impact
The development reinforced investor confidence, contributing to the latest rise in Tesla shares. While enthusiasm remains high, uncertainty persists around regulatory approval and the timeline to profitability.
#What’s Next
Investors will be watching for updates on expanded Robotaxi testing, regulatory developments, and any new disclosures during upcoming earnings reports.