California Regulators Approve 24/7 Robotaxi Expansion for Cruise and Waymo
The California Public Utilities Commission votes 3-1 to allow Cruise and Waymo to operate commercial robotaxis around the clock in San Francisco without fleet limits, despite strong opposition from city agencies and residents.
California regulators give Cruise and Waymo the green light to offer commercial robotaxi services across San Francisco 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The California Public Utilities Commission votes 3-1 in favor of the expansions, overriding mounting opposition from residents and city agencies that urge a more cautious, incremental approach. This approval removes all limits on the number of driverless vehicles the companies can deploy on city streets.
The decision comes despite numerous documented instances of autonomous vehicles malfunctioning and stopping in the middle of the street, a problem known as "bricking" that blocks traffic, public transit, and emergency responders. While both companies currently offer limited paid services in the city, this new permit allows them to scale their operations significantly. Although Cruise and Waymo promise to expand gradually rather than all at once, achieving massive scale is vital for their financial survival.
The CPUC justifies its ruling by stating it does not anticipate the robotaxi services posing significant safety risks, noting the agency lacks the authority to limit services that meet basic safety and reliability requirements. However, public commenters criticize the companies during the hearing for failing to deploy vehicles that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Advocates ask the commission to establish clearer guidelines to ensure these driverless vehicles properly assist passengers who need physical escorting to and from the cars.