Tech titan Elon Musk is at it again, pushing boundaries and regulatory patience with his latest robotaxi scheme in San Francisco. Despite Tesla’s grand plans to launch autonomous ride-hailing services across the Bay Area this weekend, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has a stern message: not so fast.

The Regulatory Roadblock

Tesla claims it’s ready to roll out self-driving taxis from Marin to San Jose, but there’s just one tiny problem - they don’t actually have permission. The CPUC made it crystal clear that Tesla hasn’t received approval for autonomous passenger services, with or without a driver. Talk about a regulatory speed bump.

Musk’s Maverick Move

Undeterred by bureaucratic hurdles, Musk is essentially daring regulators to stop him. Assemblymember Catherine Stefani didn’t mince words, calling out Musk for potentially ignoring safety regulations. The proposed launch coincides with some of San Francisco’s busiest traffic periods - the San Francisco Marathon, Lady Gaga concerts, and Giants baseball games - because why make things simple?

The Broader Vision

Musk remains characteristically optimistic, suggesting Tesla could have autonomous ride-hailing in nearly half the U.S. population by year’s end. Currently, they’re operating a small robotaxi service in Austin with safety monitors, but San Francisco seems determined to pump the brakes on his techno-dreams.

Stay tuned, Bay Area tech enthusiasts - this regulatory showdown is just getting started.