Tesla Robotaxi Trails Waymo in Austin Test

A head-to-head test in Austin shows Waymo rides as more reliable, while Tesla's Robotaxi still requires remote help and safety oversight.

Tesla Robotaxi Trails Waymo in Austin Test

Business Insider conducted a head-to-head test in Austin, comparing Tesla's Robotaxi with Waymo's robotaxi service. Waymo operates in Austin through Uber, while Tesla's robotaxi is invitation-only and relies on a safety monitor inside each car. The test combined several rides over two days to gauge app experience, pickup times, route accuracy, and passenger comfort.

Over July 16 and 17, the reporter rode five Tesla rides and eight Waymo rides. Waymo’s average pickup time hovered around seven minutes and the typical ride price was about $10.69. Waymo consistently matched pickup and drop-off locations, even when traffic was heavy. Tesla’s Robotaxi delivered a smooth ride but required three remote interventions on the first day and demonstrated occasional routing quirks. A safety monitor remained in every Tesla, underscoring the ongoing need for human oversight. Musk has said the service will be open to the public by September, though current access is limited and selective.

The verdict echoes a prior comparison: Waymo remains the more polished option in Austin, while Tesla shows meaningful progress but still acts like a work in progress. The remote support system and a geofence that keeps cars within digital boundaries were the standout safeguards in Tesla’s setup, yet the experience still felt less seamless than Waymo’s model.

The test highlights a core tension in autonomous driving: speed to scale versus reliability in everyday traffic. Waymo’s mature, sensor-rich approach lends steadiness and predictability, especially in complex urban environments. Tesla’s camera-first stack paired with remote operators aims for rapid expansion, but the need for live support reveals a fragility in current autonomy levels.

Public reception will hinge on ride quality, price, and how smoothly safety controls operate in real traffic. Using geofences helps limit risk, but it can also lead to longer routes and occasional delays. The big milestone remains removing the safety monitor, yet achieving that will require near-perfect performance and clear regulatory approval. The Austin experience shows both companies still have work to do before robotaxis feel like ordinary transportation.

Highlights

The next chapter will reveal how quickly riders accept robotaxis as a normal part of city streets.