Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service Beyond Tesla Across Austin, California

Tesla is actively expanding its Robotaxi geofence in Austin, Texas, following the launch of its service and an initial broadening of the area. The new geofence attracted attention due to its shape, which many likened to male genitalia, a move Tesla and CEO Elon Musk joked about on social media. In response, Waymo, Tesla's main competitor, significantly increased its own Austin service area to 90 square miles with boundaries defined by major roads, emphasizing a more traditional approach without the juvenile humor. This rivalry highlights the growing competition in the autonomous ride-hailing industry, with Waymo boasting a larger fleet and broader coverage, while Tesla continues gradual expansion and technical fine-tuning. Both companies aim to capture market share in self-driving taxi services, with Tesla prioritizing Texas as its only fully approved driverless region so far. The contest between Tesla and Waymo reflects larger challenges and potential in the autonomous vehicle sector as they prepare to expand to other U.S. regions.