However, the collaboration has faced opposition, with unions protesting against Waymo's expansion of autonomous rideshares. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President, Yvonne Wheeler, expressed concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicles. Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez also stated that robotaxis are not welcome in Los Angeles due to the risks they pose to pedestrians and other vehicles. Despite this, Waymo maintains that it is working with policymakers and transportation agencies to ensure the safety of its robotaxis. This comes as the California DMV suspended Cruise's robotaxi operations in San Francisco following a pedestrian accident.
Key takeaways:
- Uber has partnered with Waymo to offer autonomous ride options in Phoenix, with plans to expand to other areas.
- Waymo is currently testing its driverless taxis in South California, with early access tickets available for residents and visitors.
- There has been pushback against the introduction of autonomous vehicles, with unions protesting and Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez stating that the robotaxis are not welcome in Los Angeles due to safety concerns.
- The California DMV has suspended Cruise's robotaxi operations in San Francisco while it investigates potential safety and health hazards, following an incident where a pedestrian was hit and dragged by a Cruise robotaxi.