As Tesla continues to innovate in the realm of electric vehicles and autonomous driving, the company is making significant strides toward establishing a 24/7 Robotaxi service. This ambitious initiative could reshape urban transportation as we know it. By analyzing recent job postings and strategic plans, we can gain insight into Tesla’s future operations and its impact on the mobility landscape.
The push for a Robotaxi fleet is not just about convenience; it represents a fundamental shift towards a more sustainable and efficient transportation model. With the potential for reduced traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced accessibility, the future of urban transport could be revolutionized by Tesla’s vision.
24/7 robotaxis and night shift specialists
Recent job listings on Tesla’s official Careers website indicate the company’s commitment to establishing a round-the-clock Robotaxi service. Specifically, Tesla is seeking multiple Robotaxi Fleet Support Specialists for the Night Shift, emphasizing the need for a robust support system to ensure seamless operations.
The job description highlights the requirement for candidates to maintain vehicles to guarantee “smooth 24/7 operations.” This suggests that Tesla is not merely experimenting with its autonomous ride-hailing service but is gearing up for a broader rollout across several major U.S. cities.
The regions where these positions are available include:
- Austin
- Palo Alto
- Orlando
- Tampa
- Doral
- Houston
- Dallas
- Tempe
- Las Vegas
This multi-state approach underlines Tesla’s ambition to establish a nationwide presence as it expands its Robotaxi service offerings, potentially transforming how people view urban transportation.
Musk targets major robotaxi fleet growth by year’s end
Despite being in the early stages, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, has signaled ambitious plans for the Robotaxi pilot program. In a recent appearance on the All-In podcast, Musk shared that Tesla aims to increase its Robotaxi fleet to 500 vehicles in Austin and 1,000 in the Bay Area by the end of 2025.
He stated, “What happens if you have a thousand cars? Probably we’ll have a thousand cars or more in the Bay Area by the end of this year, probably 500 or more in the greater Austin area.” This ambitious expansion indicates that the company is gearing up for a significant real-world test of its autonomous driving technology.
With just a couple of months left in the fourth quarter, Tesla’s AI team is under pressure to deliver, making this timeline critical for the company’s future in the autonomous vehicle market. The outcomes of these real-world applications will likely influence Tesla’s strategic direction and technological advancements.
Tesla and Samsung SDI in talks over new US battery storage deal
In addition to its Robotaxi ambitions, Tesla is also exploring partnerships to enhance its energy storage capabilities. Recent reports suggest that Tesla is in discussions with Samsung SDI regarding a potential collaboration to supply batteries for large-scale energy storage systems (ESS).
Industry sources indicate that this collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for energy storage solutions in North America, driven by the increase in AI investments across various sectors. The deal, reportedly valued at over 3 trillion Korean won (approximately $2.11 billion), would span three years, addressing the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions.
ESS batteries to be built at Samsung’s Indiana plant
The production of these batteries is set to occur at Samsung SDI’s joint venture factory with Stellantis in Indiana, which is currently under construction. This facility is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the demand for ESS, with a targeted capacity of 30 GWh by the end of next year.
Such a partnership is strategic for Tesla, as the company already manufactures the Megapack, a grid-scale battery ideal for industrial use. Leveraging Samsung’s expertise and resources could significantly enhance Tesla’s energy storage capabilities, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.
Tesla and Samsung’s partnership
Currently, only a handful of manufacturers, including LG Energy Solution, SK On, and Panasonic, can produce energy storage-scale batteries domestically in the United States. A Samsung SDI representative recently stated, “Nothing has been finalized regarding cooperation with Tesla,” highlighting the ongoing negotiations and potential for future collaborations.
This partnership could significantly impact both companies, adding another layer to Tesla’s growing relationship with Samsung, which is also crucial for the production of Tesla’s upcoming AI5 and AI6 chips. The AI6 chip is expected to power various high-volume projects, including the Optimus humanoid robot and the autonomous Cybercab service.
Elon Musk maps out Tesla’s AI chip iterations
Elon Musk has recently disclosed further details about Tesla’s next-generation AI5 chip, hinting at even more advanced iterations, potentially as far as AI8. During a design review with Tesla’s chip engineers, Musk expressed excitement about the capabilities of the AI5 chip, which is designed to enhance Tesla’s autonomous systems.
His comments about the rapid development of subsequent chip generations indicate that Tesla is committed to maintaining its edge in the competitive landscape of AI technology.
Elon Musk teases Tesla’s chip development
Musk’s statements on X highlighted the completion of the design review for the AI5 chip and teased the fast-paced development of AI6 and AI7, with AI8 set to be “out of this world.” This ambitious roadmap reflects Tesla’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries.
While the current AI4 chips are sufficing for the existing Robotaxi service, the development of more advanced chips suggests that Tesla is preparing for future needs, particularly for projects like Optimus that require enhanced processing capabilities.
Even AI5 will already be insanely impressive
During Tesla’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Musk described the AI5 chip as an “amazing design” that represents a significant leap from the AI4 chip currently in use. The new hardware is anticipated to deliver up to 40 times the performance compared to its predecessor.
Notably, Tesla’s engineering team has redesigned the AI5 chip from the ground up, optimizing it for efficiency and power management. Musk referred to it as a “beautiful chip” that embodies the company’s vision for the future of AI.
Moreover, Tesla plans to create an oversupply of AI5 chips, which could be utilized across various applications, including vehicles, humanoid robots, and data centers. This vertically integrated approach positions Tesla uniquely in the AI space, allowing it to scale applications effectively.
Tesla to offer Full Self-Driving gifting program
<pIn an exciting development for Tesla owners, the company will soon launch a gifting program for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) suite. This initiative aims to allow individuals to gift subscriptions to the semi-autonomous driving software, making it a thoughtful option for the upcoming holiday season.
The program will enable recipients to experience Full Self-Driving as a trial, which could lead to subscriptions or outright purchases if they find the feature beneficial. This could enhance user engagement and expand the FSD user base significantly.
According to Tesla executive Raj Jegannathan, the gifting program is expected to roll out before the holidays, presenting an excellent opportunity for owners to share the FSD experience with family and friends.
FSD has established itself as one of the most advanced semi-autonomous driving platforms available, and many users find it enhances their daily driving experience. The subscription model allows users to try the feature at a lower cost; currently, FSD is priced at $99 per month, which is more accessible than the outright purchase fee of $8,000.
While Musk advises purchasing the suite outright for long-term benefits, the gifting program reflects Tesla’s innovative approach to expanding its customer base and enhancing user experience.
As Tesla continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the developments surrounding its Robotaxi service, energy storage solutions, and advanced AI chips position the company as a leader in the automotive and technology sectors.