California Regulators Approve Cruise and Waymo to Operate Driverless Car Services 24/7
California regulators have given the green light to robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo, allowing them to operate their driverless cars 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in San Francisco. Additionally, they are now permitted to charge passengers for their services.
The decision to expand the operations of Cruise and Waymo comes after a series of clashes between these companies and some residents, including first responders and local activists, who have expressed concerns about the technology. These concerns primarily revolve around issues such as the vehicles freezing in traffic and obstructing emergency responders.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted in favor of Cruise and Waymo’s expansion plans with a majority of 3-to-1. This move allows both residents and visitors to pay for rides in driverless taxis. Previously, Cruise could only charge for overnight rides between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., while Waymo could only charge for rides with a human driver.
Critics of driverless cars highlighted instances where these vehicles interfered with emergency responses, including blocking firehouse driveways and driving through yellow crime scene tape. The San Francisco Fire Department reported a total of 55 incidents involving driverless vehicles impeding emergency responses in 2023.
On the other hand, advocates for autonomous vehicles argued that these cars drove more defensively than human drivers. Cruise, for instance, has boasted of its safety record, emphasizing that its vehicles have not been involved in any fatalities or life-threatening injuries over 3 million driverless miles. Waymo has also reported no injuries in its first million driverless miles.
Despite the concerns raised, the vote still allows for the expansion of robotaxi services. However, one dissenting commissioner called for a deeper understanding of the safety impacts associated with driverless vehicles.
With the approval from California regulators, Cruise and Waymo are expected to maximize their presence in the driverless car sector in San Francisco. Passengers in the city can now benefit from the convenience and innovation brought by these autonomous taxis. As the technology continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and resolved in the future.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”