Tesla Extends Austin Robotaxi Hours as Musk Sticks With Cameras

Tesla has extended the operating hours of its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, allowing rides to continue until 11 p.m. instead of the previous 10 p.m. cutoff.

The change adds an hour to the service’s evening schedule, giving riders a longer window to use the self-driving vehicles in the city.

The later finish also puts nighttime driving in sharper focus. Operating after dark presents visibility challenges for camera-based systems used to interpret a vehicle’s surroundings.

Musk remains committed to the camera-based approach despite those challenges. The extended schedule brings that stance into focus as Tesla expands the service’s availability later into the night.