Tesla's robotaxi gets green light for ride-hailing in Texas

Core Points - Tesla Robotaxi has been granted a permit to operate a ride-hailing service with autonomous vehicles in Texas as part of a new state law regulating driverless vehicle services [1][2] - The permit allows Tesla to use automated motor vehicles for commercial ride-hailing but does not classify them as fully autonomous vehicles [2][3] - The new state bill, SB 2807, establishes a legal framework for autonomous vehicle services and requires companies to seek authorization from the DMV for driverless vehicle classification [4][5] Regulatory Framework - The Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR) issued the permit, which is valid for one year [2] - The new law requires compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards and mandates that vehicles be equipped with data recording devices [5] - The TDLR focuses on regulating ride-hailing services, while the DMV handles the classification of autonomous vehicles [5] Industry Context - The Texas market is becoming a competitive ground for robotaxi services, attracting technology companies like Waymo due to its less stringent regulations compared to California [10] - Prior to the permit issuance, some lawmakers urged Tesla to delay the launch of its robotaxi service until the new law took effect [9] - In California, Tesla has been operating a ride-hailing service with a human safety monitor while awaiting regulatory approval for its robotaxi [11]