California Regulators Clear Robotaxi Expansion in San Francisco
California regulators approve around-the-clock robotaxi services from Cruise and Waymo in San Francisco, making it the first major U.S. city with two competing driverless fleets despite ongoing safety concerns.
California regulators approve an expansion that allows rival robotaxi services from Cruise and Waymo to operate throughout San Francisco at all hours. This historic decision makes San Francisco the first major U.S. city with two fleets of driverless vehicles competing for passengers against traditional human-driven ride-hailing and taxi services. The approval represents a major victory for Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary, and Waymo, a Google spinoff, after they spend years and billions of dollars developing their autonomous technology.
The Public Utilities Commission votes for the expansion despite significant safety worries from city officials and residents. Recurring problems with unexpected stops and erratic behavior cause headaches over the past year, with unmanned vehicles occasionally blocking traffic and interfering with emergency responders. The backlash is so intense that the commission meeting draws a packed auditorium with a long line of people waiting outside.
Both companies view this San Francisco approval as a crucial springboard for launching similar services in other congested cities. They argue that their driverless technology provides a more reliable, convenient, and cheaper alternative to human-driven transportation options. Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana highlights the mobility, safety, sustainability, and accessibility benefits that full autonomy brings to San Franciscans at the touch of a button.