Waymo and Tesla are getting into a size contest. Temper your expectations with both companies — for now.

Core Insights - Tesla and Waymo are competing in the robotaxi market in Austin, with Waymo recently expanding its service area significantly [1][2] - Waymo's service area has increased from approximately 37 square miles to 90 square miles, covering new neighborhoods [2] - Tesla's robotaxi service is currently limited to a select group of invitees, with no clear timeline for broader public access [3][4] Group 1: Company Developments - Waymo has doubled its service area in Austin, now covering 90 square miles, which includes neighborhoods like Crestview and Windsor Park [2] - Tesla has showcased an expanded geofence in Austin but has not clarified the timeline for public access to its robotaxi service [3][4] - Waymo's service is available through the Uber app, but users cannot specifically request a robotaxi, as the app decides based on availability [9] Group 2: Operational Limitations - Waymo does not currently allow public passengers on highways, which affects the routing options for users [11] - In tests conducted by Business Insider, Uber paired users with human drivers when the destination required highway travel, indicating limitations in Waymo's service [10][11] - When destinations do not require highway access, Uber can suggest a Waymo robotaxi, showing variability in service availability [12]