Summary:
- California's Public Utilities Commission approves the expansion of self-driving taxi services in San Francisco, allowing Waymo and GM's crews to compete with Uber and Lyft.
- State regulators support Waymo and GM, despite opposition from transportation, safety agencies, and some residents, citing potential benefits like safety improvement and job creation.
- Guidelines include speed limits and weather restrictions for autonomous vehicles; companies plan to roll out 24/7 taxi services soon.
- San Francisco's role as a major hub for self-driving car testing emphasizes the importance of real-world trials for advancing autonomous technology.
California has just put itself at the center of the race for self-driving cars. On Thursday, a state agency gave the green light to Alphabet's Waymo and GM's crews to expand their self-driving taxi services throughout San Francisco and to operate at all hours of the day, putting them in direct competition with local companies Uber and Lyft for paid taxi rides.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted on Thursday 3-1 in favor of the two companies, which have been offering limited services restricted by times in geographic areas. State regulators sided with the companies in the face of a contentious six-hour public hearing. Transportation and safety agencies such as the police and fire departments, as well as many residents, had opposed the idea, voicing concerns about erratic driving and interference with their operations. Those in favor of the expansion, technologists and other residents, argued self-driving cars offer a safer alternative to human drivers and bring jobs and attention to a city in desperate need of a financial Lyft. On approving the expansion, the commission on Thursday set out some guidelines.
Waymo will be permitted to drive at speeds up to 65 miles per hour and in inclement weather, while crews will be limited to 35 miles per hour and will not be allowed to drive when weather does not permit. While the vote takes effect immediately, neither company indicated on Thursday how soon they may roll out any round-the-clock taxi services, but they promised to do so soon in promotional emails after the vote. San Francisco is already one of the world's biggest test labs for self-driving cars. The company's head said real-world testing in dense city environments is essential to perfecting the technology.
The expansion of self-driving taxi services in San Francisco marks a significant step in the autonomous vehicle industry, as major players like Waymo and GM's crews compete with local giants Uber and Lyft. The decision by the California Public Utilities Commission reflects a balance between technological advancement and safety concerns, with guidelines set to ensure responsible implementation. As the city's streets become a real-world testing ground, all eyes will be on the outcomes and impacts of this expansion.