Tesla announced Bay Area robotaxi launch without permits. The 'autonomous' vehicles have human drivers and are only available to employees.

Tesla plans to offer a chauffeur-style service operated by human drivers to a limited number of people in the San Francisco Bay Area, a California regulator said on Friday, contrary to a media report that the EV maker would offer a robotaxi service.

The CPUC confirmed Friday that Tesla has not applied for the necessary authorization to operate autonomous vehicles for public passenger service-paid or unpaid-in the state. The clarification comes in direct response to reports that Tesla planned to launch its robotaxi service in the Bay Area as early as this weekend.