Paris Authorizes Tesla Self-Driving Car Tests on Roads
Quick Look
- On September 2, Paris authorized on-road trials of Tesla self-driving cars after Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot discussed the decision with Elon Musk, reversing a prior safety-based refusal.
- The UK also launched a commercial robotaxi service in London using 15 vehicles from Wayve and Uber under human supervision.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Paris had initially refused to authorize Tesla's fully automated supervised driving system in July due to safety concerns, but reversed its position after discussions between Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot and Elon Musk.
A first soon on France's roads? On Wednesday 2 September, Paris authorised tests of Tesla self-driving cars on its roads.
The Transport Minister, Philippe Tabarot, also spoke on Wednesday with Tesla boss Elon Musk about the decision. "With two vehicles being made available, we are now entering a new phase: that of on-road trials", the minister said in a message posted on the social network X.
Yet only in July, Paris had initially said it did not intend, at this stage, to authorise Tesla's fully automated, supervised driving system, citing safety concerns. But the minister appears to have changed his mind after his "constructive" exchange with the Tesla CEO.
Robotaxis on the streets of London
Since the start of the year, five European countries have authorised the manufacturer's vehicles equipped with the FSD Supervised system - for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) - to operate on their roads.
Among them is the United Kingdom. Ride-hailing platform Uber and British autonomous driving start-up Wayve have announced the launch in London on Thursday of a commercial service using 15 robotaxis.
Initially, these autonomous vehicles will run under human supervision in the English capital, pending guidance from the London transport regulator (TfL) on the matter. Wayve then plans a rollout in Tokyo, followed by "ten other cities", again in partnership with Uber.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Paris will expand the number of Tesla self-driving vehicles authorized for testing beyond the initial two.
Likely · Within months
Wayve will launch its robotaxi service in Tokyo following the London rollout.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What specific safety measures will be in place during the Tesla trials in Paris?
- When will human supervision be lifted for the robotaxis in London?
- Which ten cities does Wayve plan to expand to after Tokyo?
