Tesla unveiled an updated version of its geofence map for Austin, Texas, and online Robotaxi fans think it closely—and very cheekily—resembles the private parts of a human male anatomy. The new geofence size more than doubled the service area for the Tesla Robotaxi in only 22 days, and it is larger than Waymo’s by at least 4 square miles.
The official Tesla Robotaxi X account left little to the imagination of fans when it posted the updated geofence map with the caption “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” Robotaxi also claimed to be big fans of eggplants, adding that they had just expanded their surface area. Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, added fuel to the naughty online conversation by retweeting Teslaconomics’ post with the caption “Bigger, longer, uncut,” followed by a laughing emoji.
Musk announced the expansion of Austin’s geofence for the Robotaxi service last week, adding that Tesla was looking to launch the service in the Bay Area in a few weeks. TSLA retail investor Steve Ryan suggested the new geofence map’s phallic shape as a joke, and in true Musk fashion, he made Tesla do it, pissing off critics and making fans laugh.
Robotaxi’s new app version rolls out
Robotaxi’s new app version was rolled out on July 14, adding walking directions for pickup and drop-off flexibility. According to the Robotaxi team, the addition of notable landmarks made navigating ride-sharing pickups and destinations in large metros and congested areas in Austin easier. The updated app now guides users to Robotaxi pickup and drop-off locations that are not close to specific areas being visited.
The Robotaxi app also includes closing times for different drop-off destinations to reduce inconveniences. The new feature warns users when visiting establishments about to close, guiding users to establishments with enough time to serve their needs. It also includes the ability to edit users’ pickup locations and destinations even after booking rides, instead of fixed default spots.
Tesla also included the University of Texas in the service area coverage to expand the service to over 53K students. Musk’s un-billionaire-like juvenile humor, like his fixation on the marijuana-related number 420, will likely attract more students to the service’s rides priced at $4.20. The controversial billionaire investor smoked a joint in 2018 during a live podcast on “The Joe Rogan Experience.” He later posted a meme with the caption “Twitter’s next board meeting is gonna be lit.”
Robotaxi users get more tips
Tesla’s updated Robotaxi app allows users to select their preferred cabin temperature and provides more smart tips while waiting for rides. The tips include how to operate the Model Y door handles and how the driverless vehicles’ light signals work. More smart suggestions include destinations like parks, cafes, shopping centers, restaurants, and other key locations.
Additionally, the simple interface provides real-time updates on the arrival of their Robotaxis to help users better understand their shared ride experiences. However, customers can still not leave tips for good service.
Tesla is also laying the groundwork for future expansions, and validation vehicles have been seen in Kyle, Texas. According to the company, its engineering and validation teams continuously work on new expansions as the public receives more updated rollouts.
However, even after expanding its service area, Tesla has not officially shared details about increasing its fleet. The electric carmakers previously claimed they had shortened the time to new deployments by streamlining the process. Tesla now ships new vehicles from the factory, installs the Robotaxi software, and places ready cars on public streets much faster. Waymo’s long mapping processes are yet to give the Robotaxi’s quick expansions any real competition.
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