Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company, has been granted approval to expand its driverless taxi service to Los Angeles and San Mateo counties. The California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) received 81 letters in support of the expansion, along with five objections. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has been running driverless test drives in San Francisco since 2018 and became one of only two companies to provide paid rides in the city in August.
However, despite the approval from CPUC, it remains unclear when the robotaxis will become available in Los Angeles. Waymo has already been testing its driverless white Jaguars in Los Angeles since last year, allowing residents to test out the service during an invitation-only period. The company plans to take a careful and incremental approach to expansion, working closely with city officials, local communities, and partners to ensure the safety, accessibility, and value of the service for riders.
While Waymo’s expansion plans have been met with excitement from some, there has also been backlash and concern among local lawmakers. San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Canepa expressed his concerns about safety and called the decision by CPUC irresponsible. He emphasized the need for more communication with Waymo to address the concerns of local stakeholders. Similarly, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn criticized CPUC’s decision, calling it “dangerous” and stating that Angelenos should not be used as guinea pigs for untested technology. Hahn believes that decisions like these should be made with input from cities rather than being imposed on them.
The approval for Waymo to expand its autonomous driving service to Los Angeles and San Mateo counties marks a significant milestone for the company. With its successful track record in San Francisco and ongoing testing in Los Angeles, Waymo is poised to bring its driverless taxis to a wider audience. However, it is crucial for the company to address the concerns of local lawmakers and ensure that safety remains a top priority. As Waymo continues to forge ahead in the autonomous driving industry, its careful and incremental approach to expansion will be key in gaining public trust and acceptance of this groundbreaking technology.