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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has given Waymo permission to expand its robotaxi operations to Los Angeles and more locations on the San Francisco Peninsula despite opposition from local groups and government agencies. “Waymo may begin driverless ride-hailing operations in select areas in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula, beginning today,” the regulator wrote in its statement. resolution (PDF). like CNBC Waymo notes that Waymo has been testing its self-driving vehicles in those locations for a while, but this decision will allow it to charge passengers for taking their robo-taxis.
In the CPUC’s decision, it acknowledged that it received letters of protest about Waymo’s expansion from the city of South San Francisco, San Mateo County, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, and the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance. . She received those letters before the agency halted Waymo’s expansion efforts in February for up to 120 days after the Alphabet-owned company revealed it had issued a recall of its vehicles. Waymo reported at the time that two of its robotaxis collided with a rear-facing pickup truck that was being towed in December 2023 because its software incorrectly predicted the truck’s movements. The company had to develop and deploy a fix to its fleet.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Send a message to the CPUC (PDF), expressing concerns about the regulatory body’s decision to allow self-driving vehicles to operate in its city. “So far, local jurisdictions like Los Angeles have had little input into the deployment of AVs, and are already seeing significant damage and disruption,” she wrote. David Canepa, also vice chairman of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors He said in a statement Regarding this latest development: “I’m confused and a little skeptical that it only took 11 days for the CPUC to change its mind on the suspension. I find this scandalous and disingenuous. We haven’t had any conversations to address our concerns and it says to me, neither Waymo nor the CPUC care about local public safety concerns “For our residents.”
However, Waymo spokeswoman Giulia Elena assures the public in a statement Wired The company will take a “phased approach” when it comes to rolling out the service in Los Angeles. It also has “no immediate plans” to expand its services in San Francisco. Additionally, she said Waymo will continue to “work closely with city officials and local communities [its] Partners.” Elena also noted that although the CPUC received letters of protest, it also received letters of support for Waymo’s expansion from 81 organizations and individuals. They include letters from various groups for seniors and people with disabilities, local community councils, as well as transportation advocates.
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