Tesla has launched approximately 30 autonomous vehicles, called Robotaxis, in Austin, Texas, since initiating its service in June. However, the company is facing significant competition from Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, which has around 200 self-driving cars actively operating in the city since starting its service in March.
While Tesla has been spotted with at least one vehicle operating without a driver, each Robotaxi carrying passengers is required to have a human present for monitoring. In contrast, all Waymo vehicles providing rides in Austin function without human oversight. Transportation expert Kara Kockelman noted the frequent presence of Waymo vehicles, stating, "Waymos are around all the time."
Waymo's development of its self-driving technology began in 2009, leading to its first commercial taxi service launch in Phoenix in 2018. This significant head start allows Waymo to maintain a considerable lead in the evolving market for autonomous ride-hailing services.