Tesla May Launch Supervised Robotaxi Service Soon

Tesla is reportedly preparing to launch a robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area as early as this weekend, according to internal documents and media reports. The initial phase will require human safety drivers, as Tesla lacks permits for fully autonomous public operations in California. Regulators confirm that Tesla has only received permission for employee shuttles and supervised testing, and has not applied for the necessary public or fully autonomous ride permits. Industry observers and officials have raised concerns about legal compliance and regulatory ambiguities. The move comes as Tesla faces a DMV lawsuit over allegedly misleading marketing of its self-driving features and amid declining vehicle sales and revenues. The company's legal and regulatory status remains uncertain as it attempts to keep pace with established robotaxi competitors.