In Pictures: Tesla's rocket-shaped Houston Robotaxi map called 'fake' as riders report 40-minute trips for two blocks

Houston's downtown streets, where Tesla's Robotaxi app reportedly refuses some pickups, remain under construction.

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The dispute highlights how service-area maps can overstate coverage in dense urban zones.

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Houston riders report Robotaxi trips that stretch a two-block journey into roughly 40 minutes.

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Tesla's robotaxi rollout has drawn scrutiny as critics question the boundaries of its advertised service areas.

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Riders and researchers say the map's downtown gaps make short trips far longer than expected.

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Ethan McKanna of Robotaxi Tracker called Houston's service area the most egregious 'fake' map he has seen.

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Complex road networks like Houston's can complicate autonomous ride-hailing coverage and routing.

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Tesla's Robotaxi service in Houston has yet to match the seamless experience the company promises.

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The controversy adds to broader questions about how autonomous vehicle companies define and market their service areas.

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