Waymo gets green light for major California robotaxi expansion

California just gave the go-ahead for Waymo to vastly expand its driverless ride-hailing fleet across Northern and Southern California.

The company said Friday it will broaden its services around Los Angeles and the Bay Area, as well as bring it robotaxis to Sacramento and San Diego. 

Last year, the California Department of Motor Vehicles authorized Waymo to offer its services in the Bay Area, Sacramento and a big part of Southern California down to the Mexican border. 

On Friday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved Waymo’s application for those areas.

“This is an important milestone that will allow Waymo to bring the safety and mobility benefits millions of Californians already enjoy to more communities across the state,” the company said in a press release. 

The company noted that the expansion “will be gradual and guided by our safety framework.”

“We look forward to bringing the same mobility and safety benefits millions of Californians already enjoy to more communities, keeping local officials and residents informed every step of the way,” Waymo said. 

CBS News reported that the company plans to launch in San Diego at the end of the summer and will continue to validate its technology in Sacramento. There isn’t an exact date for when Waymos will hit the streets, according to the news outlet.

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The driverless rides are currently available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta and Phoenix.

The company also wants to expand its operations to Dallas, Miami and Washington, DC

Waymo has been restricted to the San Francisco Peninsula, San Jose and within Los Angeles city limits. 

The company has noted that its vehicles have been a part of about 94% fewer serious injury crashes throughout the 220 million autonomous miles they’ve ridden.