Despite these setbacks, Waymo continues to offer ride-hailing services in San Francisco and Phoenix, and some free rides in Los Angeles. A report from the company in December claimed that over 7.1 million miles of testing resulted in 17 fewer injuries and 20 fewer police-reported crashes compared to if human drivers had driven the same distance. However, the incidents have led to a "crisis of confidence" in autonomous vehicle companies, according to David Zipper, a senior fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative.
Key takeaways:
- Google's self-driving car company, Waymo, is facing resistance in its efforts to expand its 24/7 robotaxi service in California due to safety concerns raised by public officials.
- Several incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including collisions and vandalism, have heightened these concerns, although none resulted in serious injuries.
- The California Public Utilities Commission has delayed a decision on whether Waymo can expand its service to include parts of a major California highway and Los Angeles and San Mateo counties, pending further review.
- Despite these challenges, Waymo continues to offer ride-hailing services in San Francisco and Phoenix, and some free rides in Los Angeles. A report from the company estimates that over 7.1 million miles of testing, there were 17 fewer injuries and 20 fewer police-reported crashes compared to if human drivers had driven the same distance.