Tesla has quietly launched internal testing of its supervised robotaxi service, called “FSD Supervised,” in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area. The pilot program is limited to Tesla employees and marks a key step toward the company’s planned commercial rollout of an autonomous ride-hailing service, expected to launch as early as June 2025.
The service relies on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software, which, despite its name, still requires an attentive human in the driver’s seat. In the current testing phase, safety drivers are on board to monitor vehicle performance and intervene when needed. Tesla reports that more than 1,500 rides have been completed across over 15,000 miles under this initiative.
Participants in the internal program are using a dedicated Tesla Robotaxi app to hail rides. These are being carried out in modified Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, each equipped with rear-seat displays offering estimated arrival times, in-cabin controls, music options, and an emergency stop button for passengers. While Tesla has teased a custom-designed “Cybercab” vehicle for future deployment, it is not yet being used in the pilot.
CEO Elon Musk has indicated the company aims to launch with 10 to 20 vehicles operating in Austin on day one, with plans to expand to other cities over time. However, commercial deployment hinges on regulatory approval. In California, Tesla has applied for a charter-party carrier permit to operate its ride-hailing service. Meanwhile, Texas—where state laws are more favorable toward autonomous vehicle testing—may see the first full-scale launch.
This latest step reaffirms Tesla’s long-standing ambition to create a fully autonomous ride-hailing network. While FSD remains under scrutiny for safety and marketing practices, the company is moving forward with real-world testing in controlled conditions. The employee-only rollout allows Tesla to gather performance data and refine its service before opening it to the public.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and competition in autonomous mobility heats up, Tesla’s success with the FSD Supervised program could determine its ability to lead in the robotaxi space.
