Waymo’s autonomous taxis have landed in Austin, Texas, with Tesla’s robotaxis not far behind. Business Insider took multiple rides in both services to compare their experiences.
Tesla’s Robotaxi showed promise but encountered issues that made it feel like it’s not yet ready for mass adoption. The ride experience was mostly smooth, but I had three incidents that required human assistance. Despite the glitches, Tesla’s autonomous driving system did well in avoiding collisions and recognizing construction zones.
However, Waymo’s robotaxis stood out for their confidence and boldness on the road. During one notable incident, a Waymo attempted to squeeze through traffic during rush hour, leaving other cars behind. The service also got pickup and drop-off locations exactly right every time.
The test revealed that Uber is managing Waymo’s fleet in Austin, part of the company’s strategy to explore different operators outside its own. Users must opt-in for autonomous vehicle options in their Uber app, which may lead to human drivers taking over if the best route requires it.
Tesla’s Robotaxi faced limitations, including slow pick-up times and issues with navigation. The service is invite-only at the moment, with a human safety monitor present in every car until further notice.
Waymo took the win in our comparison, but both services still have room for improvement. Waymo has made significant strides, despite occasional mistakes, and has published data showing a safety advantage over human drivers. Tesla aims to ramp up its robotaxis faster than Waymo, but removing the in-car safety monitor is a milestone worth waiting for.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-vs-waymo-robotaxi-autonomous-self-driving-test-2025-8