Historic Milestone for Autonomous Vehicles
In a significant development for the autonomous vehicle industry, Waymo has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate a commercial robotaxi service in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Peninsula, and on San Francisco freeways. This approval removes the last barrier for Waymo to charge for rides in these expanded areas, marking a significant milestone for the Alphabet company.
Approval Opens Up New Territory for Waymo
The CPUC’s decision opens up new territory for Waymo in one of the country’s largest cities and unlocks a route to San Francisco International Airport, which is located south of the city. With this approval, Waymo can now operate its commercial robotaxi service 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout Los Angeles.
Waymo Has Been Operating in San Francisco Since August
Since receiving approval from the CPUC in August, Waymo has been operating a commercial service 24/7 in San Francisco. The company has also been allowed to give people free driverless rides in parts of Los Angeles. However, until today’s approval, it was not able to charge for rides in Los Angeles.
CPUC Suspended Application Last Month
Last month, the CPUC’s Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division suspended Waymo’s application to expand its robotaxi service in Los Angeles and San Mateo counties for up to 120 days to provide extra time for review. The agency received 81 responses and five protests, which required a little extra time beyond the 30 days to carefully review and incorporate into the staff decision.
Protests Came from Various Entities
The five protests came from various entities, including:
- City of South San Francisco: This protest highlights the concerns that local governments have regarding the impact of autonomous vehicles on their communities.
- County of San Mateo: The county’s protest demonstrates its interest in regulating and monitoring the operation of autonomous vehicles within its jurisdiction.
- Los Angeles Department of Transportation: This protest showcases the department’s concern for public safety and transportation infrastructure in Los Angeles.
- San Francisco County Transportation Authority: The authority’s protest emphasizes the importance of coordinating with other transportation agencies to ensure seamless integration of autonomous vehicles into existing transportation systems.
- San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance: This protest represents the concerns of taxi drivers who may be impacted by the proliferation of autonomous vehicles.
Waymo Co-CEO Discusses Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Just a day before the CPUC’s decision, Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana discussed the future of the company and the broader autonomous vehicle industry onstage at StrictlyVC LA. She emphasized that robotaxis had received a "warm welcome" in Los Angeles with more than 15,000 people using the service.
Trip Data Suggests Commercial Viability
Mawakana highlighted trip data showing customers were using the service for everyday errands, evidence suggesting the service would do well commercially in Los Angeles. She stated that:
- "It’s exciting to see that like 2,000 of those trips are people going to very, very basic errands, right, which is that’s going to run an errand in a Waymo is like using it for your life."
- "We’re seeing a lot of adoption, and we’re seeing a lot of repeat business. People are getting used to the service."
Waymo’s Expansion Plans
With this approval, Waymo can now expand its services in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The company plans to continue improving its technology and expanding its operations to make autonomous transportation more accessible and convenient for the public.
Conclusion
The CPUC’s decision is a significant milestone for Waymo and the autonomous vehicle industry as a whole. As Waymo continues to expand its services, it will be interesting to see how the company addresses the concerns of various stakeholders and ensures seamless integration into existing transportation systems.
