Quick overview

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Waymo, Google’s (GOOG) self-driving division, announced that California had permitted it to extend its robotaxi operations into additional parts of the San Francisco Peninsula and farther south, including San Jose.

California’s approval of Waymo comes as Tesla prepares to launch a paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, the following month. CEO Elon Musk said the electric car manufacturer plans to bring the service to California later this year.

According to a statement from the California Public Utilities Commission, Waymo received 23 responses in favor of its March request for permission to expand its operations and no objections from stakeholders. However, Waymo stated that extending its services in the San Francisco Bay Area would take some time. A representative for the company said, “We want to bring Waymo One to more of the Bay Area, and any expansion of the service will happen methodically over time.”.

The spokesperson stated “no imminent plans or timeline to share” but did not explain the decision.

The company will operate uncrewed robotaxi services with passengers who pay. The company handles over 250,000 rides per week and has over 1,500 vehicles in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, Texas.

Waymo has been expanding its reach following a significant accident in 2023 in San Francisco involving a robotaxi from General Motors’ Cruise, which subsequently ceased operations. Regulatory scrutiny of self-driving car companies has increased.