Waymo's milestone SFO mapping permit comes with strings attached | TechCrunch
Mar 18, 2025 - techcrunch.com
Waymo has received a temporary permit to map roadways at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), marking the first step in its plan to eventually operate robotaxis there. Announced by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, the permit allows Waymo employees to manually drive vehicles for mapping purposes, with the goal of transitioning to autonomous operations in phases. This phased approach includes mapping, autonomous testing with a human safety operator, driverless testing, and ultimately commercial operations. The permit requires Waymo to share specific data after each mapping session and prohibits the use of autonomous vehicles for commercial goods delivery, addressing concerns from groups like the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
The permit represents a significant turnaround for Waymo, which was unable to secure a mapping permit in 2023. The approval process is complex, requiring additional permissions from the San Francisco Airport Commission. Waymo's efforts to gain access to SFO have been ongoing for over a year, and the process is expected to be similar to the one used when Uber and Lyft first sought airport access. While Waymo currently has temporary access for mapping, it will need a ground transportation permit to operate commercially at SFO, which has not yet been approved.
Key takeaways:
Waymo received a temporary permit to map roadways at San Francisco International Airport, marking the first step towards potential commercial operations.
The permit requires Waymo to manually drive vehicles for mapping and share specific data with the city and airport authorities.
Waymo's permit prohibits the use of autonomous vehicles for commercial goods delivery, addressing concerns from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Waymo will need a ground transportation permit for future commercial operations at SFO, which has not yet been approved.
