Tesla’s Robotaxis in Austin are now functioning as expected: traveling autonomously without a human operator. A Tesla Model Y was spotted on the streets of Austin devoid of anyone in the driver’s or passenger’s seats. While this may be disconcerting to some, it mirrors what Alphabet’s Waymo has been doing in Austin for several years. The main distinction is that Tesla utilizes seemingly unchanged Model Y vehicles, whereas Waymo employs extensively modified Jaguar I-Pace cars. Up until now, Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet in Austin has operated with a human safety overseer in the driver’s position, but this is evolving. Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that fully driverless Robotaxis are under experimentation, stating on X, “Testing is underway with no occupants in the car.” In November, Musk indicated that he anticipates Robotaxis to function without safety drivers in significant portions of Austin by year’s end. With this latest advancement, Tesla may achieve that target.