Where do driverless cars park?
Jun
Tesla’s Robotaxi launch in Austin, Texas
The future of transport is unfolding before our eyes. On June 22, 2025, Tesla launched its long-awaited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, deploying a fleet of driverless Model Y vehicles within a geofenced zone. Riders, including select Tesla enthusiasts and influencers, experienced autonomous rides for a flat $4.20 per trip.
Meanwhile, Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving subsidiary, continues expanding its footprint. Having established services in Phoenix and Los Angeles, Waymo’s driverless taxis have been a familiar sight in San Francisco for years, offering fully autonomous rides to the public.
These developments signal a transformative shift in urban mobility — reducing congestion, lowering emissions, and increasing accessibility. But as exciting as these vehicles are, they bring with them a crucial question: where will all these driverless vehicles still need to park?
The Rise of Robotaxis: A New Era in Urban Mobility
Robotaxis are no longer a futuristic vision. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Motional are competing to make autonomous ride-hailing mainstream. Waymo uses advanced multi-sensor systems combining lidar, radar, and cameras to safely navigate dense urban environments. Tesla, however, has charted its own path — relying purely on vision-based systems powered by its massive fleet data.
Both approaches aim for the same goal: affordable, safe, and widely accessible driverless transportation.
I Rode a Waymo — And Here’s What It Felt Like
Last year, I took several rides in Waymo’s autonomous vehicles while visiting San Francisco — and yes, I loved it!
How Easy is it to Book a Waymo?
Booking was seamless. I downloaded the Waymo app, set up an account just like Uber, and requested a ride. Within minutes, a Waymo was on its way to my location near Fisherman’s Wharf. The app displayed my fare upfront and estimated arrival time — intuitive and familiar.
How Do You Know Which Waymo is Yours?
San Francisco streets are packed with driverless cars that all look alike — mostly white, with big domes and cameras that scream “futuristic.” The first time I booked a Waymo, I wondered how I’d ever spot mine among so many. But it turned out to be simple: my initials lit up on the roof dome, and as I approached, the car recognised me via the app and unlocked only for me. Pretty cool!
What Was Hopping Into the Driverless Taxi Like?
Every time I used Waymo in San Francisco, it was a gorgeous, spotless white Jaguar I-PACE — all-electric, with sleek black leather and that crisp new-car smell. It felt seriously luxe. Screens front and back displayed my trip info, reminded me to buckle up, and even let me pick my own music. Seatbelt on, no driver — I was already impressed. Now, how does this puppy ride?
How Does it Ride?
As we pulled into traffic, the steering wheel moved gently, like an invisible chauffeur was guiding the car. The ride felt smooth and natural — surprisingly more precise and courteous than many human drivers I’ve encountered.
How Safe Does it Feel to ride in a driverless taxi?
Despite the novelty, I felt entirely safe. The Waymo navigated confidently, stopping smoothly at lights and yielding patiently in traffic. The advanced lidar and sensor systems ensured it always “knew” its environment. Not once did I feel nervous or uncertain.
How Much Does it Cost to Ride in a Driverless Taxi?
Fares were competitive — often cheaper than Uber. And with Waymo’s Jaguar I-PACE being fully electric, the service aligns with the sustainable future we’re striving for in urban transport.
When Are Driverless Taxis Coming to Australia?
Needless to say, I was hooked. I’d love to be among the first in Australia to experience a driverless taxi on home soil. Imagine transforming your commute into productive or relaxing time — whether working, streaming Netflix, or simply unwinding. Bring it on!
Driverless Taxis Still Need to Park Though…
Here’s the reality: even autonomous vehicles still need to park — whether waiting for the next passenger, charging, or simply idling safely out of traffic.
During my rides in San Francisco, the first pick-up was straightforward, thanks to an open kerb. But subsequent trips were trickier. Busy streets and restricted zones meant my Waymo sometimes had to stop further away, prompting a notification directing me to walk a short distance.
Pick Up and Drop Off Zones for Driverless Taxis
In Australia, many local councils have already introduced dedicated PUDO (Pick Up and Drop Off) zones to ease congestion from ride-sharing vehicles. These zones are crucial for safe boarding and disembarking — and they’ll be even more critical in a world filled with autonomous vehicles.
Driverless taxis will depend on such designated areas to:
- Safely stop without disrupting traffic
- Coordinate multiple arrivals simultaneously
- Communicate seamlessly with passengers via apps
These factors tie directly into parking for driverless taxis, and even broader considerations like commercial parking lots and visitor parking in urban areas.
Electric Robotaxis Rollout in the US
Elon Musk has been hinting at robotaxis since 2019, predicting over a million autonomous Teslas on the road by 2020. While those timelines were ambitious, the June 2025 launch in Austin marks a significant milestone.
During Tesla’s cautious development phase, competitors like Waymo, Cruise, and Motional have rolled out their own services, mainly relying on lidar-based systems.
What Sort of Technology Does the Tesla Robotaxi Rely On?
The crucial distinction lies in Tesla’s tech stack. Unlike Waymo’s multi-sensor approach, Tesla relies solely on vision-based navigation. Its cars interpret surroundings using eight cameras, AI, and data amassed from billions of driven miles.
This gamble has meant slower deployment for Tesla. But it also aims for scalability through software updates rather than expensive lidar hardware — potentially making robotaxis more affordable and widely available.
Tesla Robotaxi: A Vision-Driven Approach
Tesla’s Robotaxi service in Austin operates within a limited geofence, using Full Self-Driving software. Highlights include:
- Vision-only navigation: No lidar, relying solely on cameras.
- Robotaxi App: Lets users hail rides, control climate, and stream media.
- Passenger controls: Rear touchscreens for media and trip info.
- Safety protocols: Human safety monitors are currently on board, with remote intervention capabilities.
- Wireless charging: Future models like the Cybercab may feature inductive charging for hassle-free operations.
Comparative Overview
| Feature | Tesla Robotaxi | Waymo |
| Sensor Technology | Vision-only (cameras) | Multi-sensor (lidar, radar, cameras) |
| Autonomy Level | Supervised | Level 4 (no human intervention in geofenced areas) |
| Operational Areas | Austin (limited) | Multiple cities incl. Phoenix, SF, LA |
| Safety Measures | Human monitor + remote | Fully autonomous with extensive safety validations |
| Charging Method | Future wireless charging | Traditional plug-in |
| User Interface | Tesla App with integrated controls | Waymo App with real-time tracking |
The Overlooked Challenge: Parking for Driverless Vehicles
While riding in a robotaxi feels futuristic, there’s a practical reality: driverless vehicles still need to park.
Considerations include:
- Designated parking zones to avoid blocking traffic
- EV charging infrastructure to support electric fleets
- Efficient use of space so cities don’t exacerbate parking shortages
- The role of smart parking solutions and even smart parking bollards to manage this evolving landscape
Without strategic planning, cities risk increased congestion and inefficient use of space — undermining the benefits autonomous vehicles aim to provide.
The Parking Paradigm in an Autonomous Future
As robotaxis become common, cities must rethink parking infrastructure. Even vehicles capable of navigating themselves still require safe places to wait, charge, or load passengers. It’s not just about streets — it affects parking in apartment buildings, visitor parking, commercial parking lots, and how we’ll be guaranteeing parking for autonomous vehicles in dense urban environments.
Smart Parking Solutions: Preparing for an Autonomous Future
At That’s My Spot and Parking Spotz, we’re already exploring how to prepare parking infrastructure for the age of autonomy. Our solutions include:
- Automated parking bollards ensure dedicated spaces for human-driven and driverless vehicles alike.
- EV-specific parking: Dedicated bays with charging facilities.
- Smart access controls to manage secure entry for driverless vehicles into properties.
I absolutely love the advancement of driverless vehicle technology like Tesla’s Robotaxi and Waymo’s self-driving taxis! I’m genuinely excited for this next chapter of urban transport. The potential for autonomous vehicles like Tesla’s Robotaxi and Waymo’s fleet is enormous — but even the smartest driverless vehicles still need to park. Until, of course, they all become flying driverless taxis (and on that front check out my article on where to park a flying taxi here!)
Thinking outside the box is what we’re awesome at. And that’s why our smart parking solutions that we have at That’s My Spot and Parking Spotz are such a fabulous way to future proof parking for autonomous vehicles like Tesla Robotaxis and Waymos
Check out this CNBC video of some of the other feedback from the Tesla Robotaxi rollout.
Fun Adventure Reel!
Speaking of fun, check out this fantastic adventure by San Francisco resident Sophia Tung, who tried to spend 24 hours riding in a Waymo vehicles nonstop. Her experiment shines a light on the real-life logistics — like finding safe spots for pick-ups — in a world of autonomous mobility. Watch her adventure here: Sophia’s Waymo Reel
What do you think about Tesla’s Robotaxi rollout?
Or autonomous vehicles more generally?
