Tesla has started testing its robotaxi service by deploying a number of autonomous Model Y SUVs in Orlando and Tampa, marking the expansion of its pilot program in Florida. This comes just a day before Tesla's scheduled Q2 earnings call. These new pilot areas are relatively limited in size, continuing the cautious rollout approach Tesla has taken following an initial small launch in Miami a few weeks ago.

Despite early announcements, Tesla has been slow to expand its robotaxi operations to the scale CEO Elon Musk initially promised. Musk previously stated that Tesla’s robotaxis would cover half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025, but the company has yet to reach that goal as deployments remain small and localized. Earlier pilots in Dallas and Houston that were announced before Tesla’s first-quarter earnings also have not scaled significantly.

Tesla’s quieter rollout contrasts with its past aggressive timelines and reflects a more measured strategy. The company, which no longer maintains a press office, offers little detail about the specifics of these new pilots or the number of vehicles involved. Nevertheless, the expansion into multiple Florida cities highlights ongoing efforts to test and refine Tesla’s fully autonomous capabilities in real-world settings.

Further momentum for Tesla's autonomous ambitions could come from potential regulatory changes. The Department of Transportation has proposed a rule to eliminate the requirement for brake pedals in self-driving cars, a move that could facilitate deployment of Tesla’s two-seater Cybercab fleet, currently staged in various U.S. cities. This regulatory shift may pave the way for broader robotaxi services in the near future.