Texas has unveiled new regulatory guidelines for autonomous vehicles as Tesla begins rolling out its robotaxi service in select cities. The guidelines aim to balance innovation with public safety concerns.
The new framework requires autonomous vehicle operators to maintain minimum insurance coverage, conduct regular safety audits, and report all incidents involving their vehicles. Tesla’s robotaxi service, which launched in Austin and Houston, will be among the first to operate under these rules.
Industry experts view Texas’s approach as a middle ground between states that have imposed strict regulations on autonomous vehicles and those with minimal oversight. The guidelines could serve as a model for other states grappling with how to regulate self-driving technology.