SAN FRANCISCO, California – California regulators have granted Alphabet’s self-driving car division, Waymo, permission to expand its robotaxi service to include highways in several Bay Area cities and large parts of Los Angeles. This decision allows Waymo to deploy its robotaxis on local roads and freeways at speeds of up to 65 mph. While the company has no immediate plans to extend the service to highways, it marks a significant expansion for Waymo.
Waymo has been offering its 24/7 robotaxi service in San Francisco and Phoenix for months, with tests being conducted on California freeways with a safety driver present. Unlike in Phoenix, where tests on highways are conducted without a human driver, Waymo does not currently bring passengers on highways. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) granted the expansion despite opposition from local officials, who expressed concerns about the impact of more driverless cars on city streets.
In a statement, a Waymo spokesperson mentioned the company’s careful and incremental approach to expansion. Despite the opposition, Waymo also received support from various groups in California, such as the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Bicycle Coalition. These organizations view autonomous driving technology as an opportunity to improve roadway safety and efficiency.
However, the introduction of driverless cars in California has raised safety concerns among public officials following several incidents last month. For example, a Waymo vehicle collided with a closing gate while exiting the University of Southern California’s campus, and another car collided with a cyclist in San Francisco. Waymo also announced a voluntary recall of its software following an incident involving a pickup truck in Phoenix. Despite these incidents, no major injuries were reported.
Waymo expressed gratitude to the CPUC for the vote of confidence in their operations and acknowledged the support from riders and community partners. With over 15,000 rides in LA to date, Waymo looks forward to expanding access to fully autonomous ride-hailing services to more people. The decision to allow Waymo to expand its robotaxi service reflects the ongoing advancements in autonomous driving technology and the potential benefits it could bring to transportation systems in California.