Tesla’s Autonomous Push Moves Into a New Phase
Tesla shares climbed Monday after the company confirmed that one of its robotaxis was operating in Austin, Texas without a safety driver or occupants — a milestone that reinforces the company’s long-promised push toward fully autonomous vehicles.
The confirmation followed a video posted Sunday on X showing a Tesla robotaxi navigating Austin streets on its own. The clip quickly gained traction after Ashok Elluswamy, who leads Tesla’s AI and autonomous driving efforts, responded with a succinct message: “And so it begins!”
Shortly after, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the footage, stating that testing is now underway with no one inside the vehicle. Shares of Tesla rose roughly 4% in early trading, pushing the stock closer to its prior all-time highs.
Austin as the Proving Ground for Full Autonomy
The Austin test aligns with Musk’s recent comments that Tesla is only weeks away from unsupervised robotaxis. The company has been operating limited robotaxi services in Austin and the San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand testing into additional markets including Phoenix and Nevada.
Musk has also said the robotaxi fleet is expected to double in December, signaling a rapid scaling phase if testing continues smoothly. The next major step will be the full removal of safety drivers across Tesla’s Austin operations — a move that would further differentiate Tesla’s approach from competitors relying on more geofenced or hardware-heavy solutions.
Wall Street Sees 2026 as the Inflection Year
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, one of Tesla’s most vocal bulls, described the latest development as confirmation that Tesla’s autonomous strategy is finally coming together.
He believes 2026 could mark a turning point, with robotaxi expansion and the ramp-up of Tesla’s purpose-built Cybercab vehicle playing central roles. The Cybercab — a two-seat vehicle unveiled last year without a steering wheel or pedals — is expected to enter volume production in spring 2026, according to Ives.
In his view, autonomy and robotics are no longer side projects but the core of Tesla’s long-term value creation, helping shift the company toward a more AI-driven valuation framework.
Improving FSD Performance Adds Credibility
Beyond robotaxi testing, sentiment has also been boosted by improved feedback on Tesla’s latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. Automotive reviewers and journalists who have tested recent versions report smoother driving, fewer disengagements, and a more confident system overall.
While Alphabet’s Waymo is still widely viewed as the leader in safety metrics, even critics acknowledge Tesla’s rapid progress — particularly given its camera-only approach and massive installed vehicle base.
This steady improvement strengthens the case that Tesla can monetize autonomy not only through robotaxis, but also by expanding FSD adoption across its existing fleet.
WSA Take
Tesla’s robotaxi test without a safety driver is less about a single video and more about validation. It signals that Tesla’s autonomy narrative is shifting from promises to execution — exactly what long-term investors have been waiting for.
The real question now isn’t if Tesla reaches large-scale autonomy, but how quickly it can deploy it responsibly and at scale. If the Austin rollout expands smoothly and Cybercab production stays on track, Tesla’s AI-driven valuation story could reaccelerate faster than the market expects.
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