“In a significant development, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has granted approval to Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, for the expansion of its fully driverless robotaxi services to Los Angeles and select cities near San Francisco. The decision, effective immediately, allows Waymo to extend its autonomous passenger-service operations beyond San Francisco and Phoenix, where it already operates.
Waymo submitted its expansion proposal on January 19, emphasizing collaboration with policymakers, first responders, and community organizations. The CPUC had initially suspended the application for further review last month but has now given the green light for Waymo to commence fared, driverless passenger services in the specified areas of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula.
However, the approval has not been without challenges, as protests were submitted by entities including the City of South San Francisco, the County of San Mateo, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. These protests highlight the growing public concern and hostility toward robotaxis, particularly in the aftermath of accidents involving Waymo and its competitor, General Motors’ Cruise.
In a recent incident, a Waymo robotaxi was attacked and set on fire during Chinese New Year celebrations in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Prior to that, another Waymo vehicle was involved in an incident where it struck a bicyclist at a city intersection. These incidents have contributed to the increasing scrutiny and skepticism surrounding the safety of autonomous vehicles, despite ongoing advancements in the technology.”