This week, the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector took steps forward with developments in both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments.
Tesla is set to roll out its first-ever robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. The pilot will begin with approximately 10 fully autonomous Model Ys operating within a geofenced area, requiring no human driver. Tesla plans to expand this service rapidly, potentially scaling to 1,000 vehicles across multiple cities within the coming months. This launch marks a milestone in Tesla’s vision to create a fleet of self-driving cars providing on-demand rides. However, local officials and regulators have voiced safety concerns and called for a delay until Texas’s new autonomous vehicle regulations take effect this September.
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has proposed new rules allowing the testing and deployment of driverless heavy-duty trucks on public roads. These rules would apply to vehicles weighing over 10,001 pounds and introduce phased permitting, safety oversight, and data reporting requirements. The proposal aims to facilitate the safe expansion of autonomous freight operations in one of the nation’s largest logistics hubs. Public comments on the rule are being accepted through June, signaling a key regulatory moment for AV trucking.
Aurora Innovation announced plans to broaden its driverless truck services. Building on its existing Dallas-Houston corridor operations, Aurora intends to introduce night-time and adverse-weather driving capabilities later this year. The company will also extend routes to include El Paso and Phoenix, with its fleet expected to grow by the end of 2025.
