Waymo Starts Robotaxi Rides on San Francisco Freeways

Waymo is set to begin testing its fully autonomous vehicles without human safety drivers on freeways in the San Francisco Bay Area this week. The initial phase will involve a limited number of vehicles and will be conducted outside of rush hour, with Waymo employees serving as the first passengers. This development follows the company's approval from California regulators in March to charge for autonomous rides on freeways, marking a significant step toward commercializing its services. The announcement comes on the heels of a recent $5 billion investment from Alphabet, which has bolstered Waymo's expansion efforts in San Francisco. Just last week, the company expanded its robotaxi service area by 10 square miles to include surrounding cities such as Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma. Waymo's social media update highlighted the potential time savings for rides between key locations in the city, showcasing the benefits of its autonomous technology. Waymo emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that the testing will adhere to established safety protocols based on extensive experience operating rider-only vehicles in California and Arizona. The company plans to gather feedback from employees during these initial freeway rides to refine the service and enhance the rider experience. However, the expansion has faced some pushback from local leaders in San Mateo County, who expressed concerns over the lack of notice regarding the rollout. They are advocating for measures that would allow local governments to regulate autonomous vehicles, indicating a need for further dialogue on the integration of such technologies in the region. The timeline for public access to freeway trips remains unspecified.