Arizona

Tesla received a permit to operate a ride-hailing service in Arizona, a step toward launching a robotaxi network. Further approvals are needed before deployment. Tesla aims to remove safety drivers in Austin by year-end and expand to other cities by 2026, despite safety concerns highlighted by recent collisions. The company faces competition from Waymo and Baidu, who have established autonomous services. Elon Musk envisions a future where people can “text and drive,” but achieving full autonomy requires overcoming technological hurdles.