Tesla is already trying to expand its robotaxis service to Arizona
Tesla applied for testing and operation of Arizona’s self-driving vehicles, and the state Department of Transport confirmed with TechCrunch to bring its fledgling Robotax services to the MetroPhoenix area.
Tesla had contacted the Automobile Division (MVD) under the Arizona Department of Transport on June 26 to begin the certification process, a spokesperson issued an email statement. The company was launched Limited Robotaxi Services According to the department, South Austin last month showed interest in activities within the Phoenix Metro area.
Tesla is applying for both autonomous vehicle testing and operation with drivers and test/operation without drivers. A DOT MVD spokesperson said a decision is expected at the end of the month. The company’s contact with state dots was first revealed Tesline Fluencer Sawyer Merritt Early on Thursday.
Tesla’s reach out comes from Casey Brain, the company’s senior regulatory advisor, and has already held a virtual meeting with the state’s Dot and Arizona’s Secretary of Commerce, according to an email obtained by TechCrunch through a record request.
According to the email, these conversations are in preliminary stages, with Blaine asking Dot’s representatives to refer him to the Maricopa County government and law enforcement agencies. Blaine did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tesla launched a limited Robotaki service in South Austin in June. This is currently only open to people the company is invited to. However, CEO Elon Musk wrote on social media platform X on Thursday. Extend that service You’ll soon be able to enter the city. He also said Tesla is waiting for regulatory approval to launch Robotaxis in the Bay Area.
Musk’s lobotaki ambitions may bump into regulatory reality, at least in California. Arizona, California, Texas – All state masks want to see Tesla’s Robotaxis, but requirements vary.
In California, businesses that want to test and ultimately deploy self-driving cars must receive a set of different permits from the Department of Automobile (DMV). These permits cover various stages of testing self-driving vehicles that will ultimately deploy unmanned vehicles, with or without a human safety operator behind the wheel. However, companies that want to operate the Robotaxi service must receive a license from the California Public Utilities Commission.
A California DMV spokesperson said in an emailed statement that Tesla has been holding self-driving vehicle testing permits for road testing with safety drivers since 2014.
“If Tesla is trying to conduct unmanned testing or deploy autonomous technology, you will need to apply for appropriate permission,” the CA DMV statement reads. “To date, Tesla has not applied for either unattended testing or deployment permits.”
The Arizona process isn’t that difficult, but there are steps to navigate.
Under Arizona law, self-driving car companies must follow the self-certification process, with or without a driver. Adot Website.
This does not mean that Tesla or AV companies completing the self-certification process can operate Robotaxi services that charge rides. Companies that want to operate ride services (human or robot-driven) must apply for permission from the transport network company.
Alphabet-owned self-driving vehicle company Waymo operates a driverless lobotaxy service around 315 square miles in the Metro Phoenix area, including parts of Downtown, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Mesa, and will be travelling repeatedly with Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The company was recently released New Programs to Allow Teenswith permission from his parents, he awakens Robotaxis in Phoenix.
Waymo holds appropriate AV and TNC permits in Arizona. The company also has all the necessary permissions to deploy and operate the Robotaxy Service Los Angeles and the Bay Areaalong with numerous Silicon Valley cities in California. Waymo also runs the Robotaxi service in collaboration with Uber In Austin And Atlanta.