However, the decision has been met with opposition from the City of South San Francisco, the County of San Mateo, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, among others. Despite these protests, the CPUC has stated that Waymo can begin its fared, driverless passenger-service operations in the specified areas of Los Angeles and the San Francisco Peninsula.
Key takeaways:
- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved Alphabet’s Waymo to expand its driverless robotaxi services to Los Angeles and some cities near San Francisco.
- Waymo had applied for this expansion on January 19, promising to work with policymakers, first responders, and community organizations.
- The approval was met with protests from the City of South San Francisco, the County of San Mateo, and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, among others.
- Public hostility towards robotaxis has been increasing due to accidents involving Waymo and its rival General Motors’ Cruise, including a Waymo robotaxi being set on fire and another striking a bicyclist.