Starlink secures approval in Saudi Arabia, according to Elon Musk; integration of Tesla's robotaxis and Optimus robots envisioned for the future.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the future of transportation is taking a significant step forward. While Tesla's robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robots have not yet been announced for deployment in the country, another player, WeRide, is leading the charge.
Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, recently expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of Tesla's Robotaxi service in Saudi Arabia, revealing that the company is exploring the deployment of its autonomous service in the region. However, as of mid-2025, Tesla has not announced specific plans to introduce its Robotaxi or Optimus humanoid robots in Saudi Arabia. Tesla's robotaxi testing and limited public pilot service have so far focused on U.S. cities like Austin, Texas, and plans to expand to places such as San Francisco in 2025.
In contrast, WeRide, a Chinese autonomous driving company, has obtained Saudi Arabia’s first autonomous driving license and is running a pilot robotaxi service in Riyadh in partnership with Uber and local partner Ai Driver. They plan to launch full-scale commercial robotaxi operations nationwide in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2025. WeRide's service operates at Level 4 autonomy and includes electric vehicles equipped with advanced AI and sensors.
Meanwhile, Musk demonstrated Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump, but no details were given about the nature or purpose of the demonstration. Musk did express that these robots could revolutionize global labor markets and contribute to economic growth, and he projected that "tens of billions" of humanoid robots could be produced in the future.
In addition to robotaxis, Musk's tunneling venture, The Boring Company, proposed a solution to Saudi Arabia's urban traffic congestion. The idea involves building underground transportation tunnels to create "warp tunnels" and reduce surface traffic.
Finally, SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service has been approved for aviation and maritime use in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in the country's push for advanced digital infrastructure. Musk thanked Saudi officials for approving Starlink, highlighting the potential for the service to improve connectivity in remote areas and support the country's growing digital economy.
In conclusion, while Tesla's robotaxi and Optimus humanoid robots have yet to be announced for Saudi Arabia, WeRide is currently leading the way in the country's autonomous future. The potential benefits of these technologies for Saudi Arabia's transportation, labor markets, and digital infrastructure are undeniable, and it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold in the coming years.
Technology and finance intertwine as SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, approved for aviation and maritime use in Saudi Arabia, can potentially stimulate economic growth by improving connectivity in remote areas and supporting the nation's digital economy. Meanwhile, in the realm of science and space-and-astronomy, Elon Musk's Tesla robotaxi testing and proposed tunneling venture showcase innovative solutions to traffic congestion and transportation challenges in the Kingdom.
