A Tesla Model Y was recently seen driving through Austin, Texas, without any visible driver or passengers, sparking renewed debate about the readiness of fully autonomous vehicles for public roads. The viral video, widely shared online and retweeted by Tesla's head of artificial intelligence and Autopilot, was interpreted as a show of confidence in the company's self-driving technology, though Tesla has not confirmed whether the vehicle was operating autonomously or under supervision.

Austin has emerged as a key location for autonomous vehicle development, thanks to Tesla's relocation and the city's favorable regulatory environment. The sighting comes as optimism grows about the potential of autonomous ride-hailing, with analysts predicting the market could reach over one trillion dollars in the United States and account for a significant share of miles driven in the coming years.

While traditional ride-hailing companies may still benefit from the shift to self-driving technology, the incident highlights the rapid progress being made and the increasing presence of autonomous vehicles on everyday streets.