Waymo's Self-Driving Taxis Cleared for California Highways by State Authorization

California regulators have approved Waymo's expansion of its robotaxi service to include highways in several Bay Area cities and parts of Los Angeles.

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Waymo plans to approach the expansion carefully and incrementally, with no immediate plans to extend its service to highways.

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Waymo has been providing its 24/7 robotaxi service in San Francisco and Phoenix for months, with tests on freeways in California and no human driver on highways in Phoenix.

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Despite opposition from local officials, the CPUC has authorized Waymo to expand immediately, citing compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concerns about the adverse impacts of the expansion on the city's extensive road network.

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Safety concerns persist in California following incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including collisions and a software recall.

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Despite these challenges, Waymo remains grateful to the CPUC for its confidence in their operations and looks forward to expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service.

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Waymo has garnered significant support from riders and community partners, with over 15,000 rides provided in Los Angeles alone.

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