Tesla to Launch Robotaxi Service in San Francisco This Weekend

July 25, 2025 – Tesla is gearing up to roll out its robotaxi service in San Francisco, possibly as soon as this weekend, according to a report from Business Insider that referenced an internal memo.

This robotaxi initiative is still in its infancy, having only seen a controlled test conducted earlier this year in Austin, Texas.

The designated area for the service will cover a substantial part of the Bay Area, including locations like Marin, a good portion of the East Bay, San Francisco, and extending southward to San Jose, the report indicated.

The timeline for the launch has been moved up to potentially this Friday, with some Tesla owners expected to receive invites to participate in the service.

CEO Elon Musk seems to be pivoting Tesla’s focus toward robots and self-driving taxis as a response to flagging sales of the company’s older vehicle models.

On another note, The Information has reported that Tesla is lagging behind in its ambition to produce at least 5,000 of its Optimus humanoid robots this year, with only a few hundred completed to date.

While Reuters couldn’t conclusively verify the reports from Business Insider and The Information, Tesla has not yet responded to requests for comment.

During a recent earnings call, Musk mentioned that Tesla is seeking regulatory approval to launch robotaxis in multiple states, including California, Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.

However, California regulators informed Reuters that Tesla has not yet applied for the necessary permits to pick up and charge passengers in fully autonomous vehicles.

To test and implement autonomous vehicles in California, companies must secure a variety of permits from both the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Public Utilities Commission.

Requests for comment from the DMV and CPUC went unanswered.

This regulatory landscape presents a significant challenge for Tesla, as gaining the confidence of safety officials will be essential before fully autonomous services can be launched.