Waymo Secures CPUC Approval to Extend Robotaxi Service in California
Waymo received permission from the California Public Utilities Commission to broaden its autonomous ride-hailing operations to additional Bay Area, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego locations.
Waymo announced Friday that it will expand its autonomous ride-hailing service to new markets in California, adding Sacramento and San Diego to its existing operations in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. The expansion follows a prior authorization from the California Department of Motor Vehicles and a recent approval by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
The company said the rollout will be "gradual and guided by our safety framework" and described the regulatory clearance as a milestone that will allow it to bring "the safety and mobility benefits" it offers to more communities across the state.
Waymo, which operates thousands of self-driving vehicles in several U.S. cities, has not disclosed a specific timeline for launching service in the new areas. The firm is also preparing for a future expansion into Chicago, where it has begun mapping and manual vehicle testing.
The company recently recalled nearly 4,000 robotaxis after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified a software issue that could cause vehicles to enter closed freeway construction zones.