Tesla Robotaxi Races Waymo in San Antonio

San Antonio is gearing up for a significant shift in its transportation landscape this fall with the anticipated arrival of Tesla's Robotaxi service. This expansion marks Tesla's entry into one of four new markets, aiming to challenge the existing presence of Waymo, owned by Alphabet.

Waymo has been operational in San Antonio since February, offering ride-hailing services and expanding to include airport service in March. Despite some initial challenges, Waymo's fleet is now accessible to all local riders. However, Tesla's preparations, including the establishment of charging stations and the visible presence of its Cybercabs, signal a strong competitive intent.

Both companies are rapidly building their fleets, with recent estimates placing Waymo's statewide fleet at 1,207 vehicles and Tesla's at 1,080. While fleet size is a key metric, the underlying technology differs. Waymo employs a sophisticated array of sensors for navigation and environmental adaptation, whereas Tesla is investing in an AI vision-only approach for its autonomous driving system.