When Drop-Off Buttons Go Rogue: Inside Tesla's Robotaxi Testing in Austin

Early trials reveal both impressive capabilities and critical safety issues that need immediate attention

As Tesla's robotaxis continue their early deployment in Austin, extensive real-world testing is revealing both the remarkable progress of autonomous driving technology and some concerning edge cases that demand immediate attention. After conducting over 20 rides in Tesla's Model Y robotaxis and comparing them directly with Waymo's established service, clear patterns are emerging about the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

Key Takeaways

• Tesla's "drop me off" button exhibited dangerous behavior, stopping in the middle lane of active traffic instead of finding safe locations

• The Model Y robotaxis demonstrated superior ride comfort, smoother driving dynamics, and better handling of complex maneuvers compared to Waymo vehicles

• App integration creates significant friction for Waymo users in Austin, requiring specific preference settings and delivering inaccurate ETAs due to routing mismatches

• Tesla vehicles successfully navigate unprotected left turns while Waymo appears to avoid them entirely, adding time to routes

• Both services still operate with safety drivers, but Tesla's vertical integration provides advantages in data collection and user experience

• Wait times for Tesla robotaxis currently exceed Waymo due to limited fleet size, though individual ride quality surpasses competitor offerings