The California authorities have permitted Waymo to expand its robotaxi operations on highways in parts of Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) wrote in its decision PDF that, “Waymo may begin fared driverless passenger service operations in the specified areas of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula, effective today.”
The company has been testing driverless vehicles in those locations for a long time now, but this decision will allow them to charge the passengers for rides.
The CPUC noted that it received protest letters from several city agencies and other groups. They also revealed that they received those letters before they suspended Waymo’s efforts for expansion in February for up to 120 days. The suspension came after Waymo recalled Robotaxi software after two cars crashed company with a backward-facing pickup truck that was being towed in December 2023. The company had to recall its software and deploy a fix.
For this decision, CPUC has concluded that Waymo has shown its “attention to continuous evaluation and improvement of its technology, safety practices, and aspects of its operations involving humans … that minimize the risk of driverless passenger service operations” in expanded areas. This decision has given the company permission to expand right away.
The CPUC also said that it had denied a request from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) for evidentiary hearings on disputed facts. The LADOT also asked the CPUC to wait until a California law, Senate Bill 915 is settled. Senate Bill 915 would give cities more regulatory authority over robotaxis.
Some groups wrote in support of the expansion, they highlighted the potential safety, accessibility, economic, and environmental benefits of the service.
