Tesla extends Austin Robotaxi service to 11 p.m

Tesla extended its Austin Robotaxi service to 11 p.m., adding an hour beyond the previous closing time. The company announced the change through its Robotaxi account.

Elon Musk confirmed the extension and said avoiding pets that are difficult to detect at night remained a focus. He described the challenge of distinguishing small gray animals from similarly colored pavement in darkness.

The later cutoff expands the period when Austin customers can request rides. Musk's explanation identifies nighttime animal detection as an unresolved engineering issue. His statement did not provide a date for extending service beyond 11 p.m.