California has given Waymo permission to expand its robotaxi operations. Now Waymo is allowed to operate its self-driving vehicles on highways in parts of Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
California regulators have approved the company’s expansion plans. Vehicles from Waymo are now allowed to drive on local roads and highways in approved areas at up to 65 miles per hour, which means around 105 kilometers per hour. Waymo spokeswoman Julia Ilina said the company’s expansion will be cautious and gradual and that it will not offer service on highways in the near term.
Last month, the Californian Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Waymo’s expansion was suspended until June because they still wanted to conduct research. This happened after protests from several city authorities San Francisco and other groups. Safety concerns surrounding driverless robotaxis have grown, particularly after some high-profile accidents such as the collision of a Waymo car with a cyclist last month and an accident one Cruise vehicle last October, in which a pedestrian was dragged 20 feet.
The CPUC has now determined that Waymo is continually improving its technology, security practices and operational aspects related to people in expanded areas and minimizing risks. This resulted in Waymo being allowed to begin its expansion immediately.
The CPUC rejected a request from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and did not identify issues that needed to be resolved through formal hearings. LADOT also asked to wait for Senate Bill 915, which would give cities more regulatory power over robotaxis.
The CPUC rejected this and other arguments because it had no jurisdiction. Various groups supported the expansion, highlighting potential benefits such as safety, accessibility, economics and the environment. However, some groups such as the American Council of the Blind had concerns and called for new safety and accessibility standards.