Tesla is reportedly bringing a limited version of its robotaxi service to San Francisco

Tesla is set to launch a limited version of its robotaxi service in San Francisco this weekend, following an earlier rollout in Austin, Texas. According to Business Insider, the upcoming service will include a human driver in the vehicle, as the company has yet to secure the necessary permits for fully autonomous operations, as indicated by records from the California DMV. Currently, it remains uncertain whether Tesla has acquired the required authorization from California's Public Utilities Commission to offer rides to the general public. At this stage, the service is exclusively available to company employees. Reports suggest that Tesla intends to invite select owners to experience this new offering. During a recent conference call, CEO Elon Musk mentioned that the company is actively pursuing regulatory approval in California. The launch in California is particularly notable given the ongoing legal challenges Tesla faces. The DMV is working to prevent Tesla from selling cars in the state due to a protracted lawsuit concerning the company's claims regarding its vehicles' self-driving capabilities. Additionally, Tesla is embroiled in a trial related to fatalities linked to its Autopilot driver assistance system. Since June 22, Tesla has been testing an invite-only version of its robotaxi service in Austin, although it has not yet lived up to Musk's long-standing ambitions. The service currently operates primarily in Austin's downtown area and major thoroughfares, with a safety operator present in the front passenger seat to intervene when necessary. While the initial launch featured around 10 vehicles, details on the current number of operational Model Y SUVs and the frequency of safety interventions remain unclear. This limited rollout stands in stark contrast to Musk's previous declarations about Tesla's self-driving technology, which he once claimed would enable a vehicle to drive from Los Angeles to New York without intervention—a feat that has yet to be realized. Recently, Musk announced that Tesla is also looking to expand its services to Florida and Arizona, where the company has reportedly begun the certification process for testing operations with and without a driver.