Tesla’s expanding its robotaxi service area in Austin with a map design that’s turned heads for looking like an anatomical figure. The new coverage zone nearly doubles the original area from June 2023, now spanning about 10 square kilometers.
The controversial map shape originated from a social media suggestion on X/Twitter. Users quickly noticed it resembled what many called a “phallic shape” or “ball-peen hammer.” Elon Musk responded to the proposal with a laughing emoji before the company officially adopted the design. Media outlets described the move as intentionally provocative.
Tesla’s expanded Austin service now covers 3.9 square miles more than competitor Waymo‘s local operations. Key additions include areas around South Congress Bridge. The extended coverage now encompasses neighborhoods like Tech Ridge, Westover Hills, and Georgian Acres. The company pushed the update through version 25.7.5 of its Robotaxi app.
The service maintains a flat fee of $4.20 per ride and operates with about 10 Model Y vehicles. Safety operators still sit in the front passenger seats of all robotaxis.
Tesla’s also introduced Cybertrucks equipped with roof-mounted LiDAR and monitoring devices to map routes and validate its Full Self-Driving data. New features improve the user experience. The app now provides walking directions to pickup points and destinations. It alerts riders if their destination might close before arrival. Users can also change their destination after booking a ride.
Access remains invite-only for pre-approved users who signed up through Tesla’s website. The company’s issued more beta invites since launching the expanded service. Tesla continues its gradual rollout strategy to carefully expand its user base while monitoring performance.
Tesla faces regulatory challenges expanding beyond Austin. Plans to launch in the Bay Area remain stalled pending approvals. Musk previously mentioned the Bay Area rollout could happen “a month or two” after Austin’s expansion.
The timing contrasts with competitor Cruise, which lost its permit after a pedestrian dragging incident. Tesla’s robotaxis stay within GPS-defined zones and can’t operate outside their geofenced areas. While Tesla continues to expand its robotaxi service, regulatory scrutiny remains high amid ongoing tesla robotaxi security concerns. Critics argue that the technology needs to be further refined to ensure the safety of both passengers and pedestrians. As Tesla navigates this complex landscape, maintaining public trust will be crucial for the success of its autonomous ride-hailing initiative.
The company continues mapping Austin streets with its fleet. Both Model Ys and Cybertrucks validate routes around the city, particularly near South Congress Bridge. Tesla’s working toward a potential nationwide rollout, though it’ll need regional approvals first.