California's ambitious dreams of a robotaxi future hit a red light, as state regulators have pressed pause on Waymo's plans to expand its autonomous vehicle service into parts of Los Angeles and San Mateo Counties. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) announced on Wednesday that they need more time to review the application, with the proposed expansion now in limbo until at least June 19th, as reported by Reuters.
Despite being greenlit by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to push its self-driving cabs into new territories, including coveted access to San Francisco International Airport, Waymo has hit a snag with the CPUC, which suspended the application on the grounds of safety and further assessment, Waymo currently operates a round-the-clock commercial service in San Francisco, and has dipped its toes into Los Angeles, offering free rides but not yet charging passengers, TechCrunch reports.
Waymo's aspirations were throttled after a string of unsettling incidents involving autonomous vehicles, including an attack on a Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco and an accident where another of its vehicles struck a cyclist; not to mention a serious mishap in October where a driverless Cruise car seriously injured a pedestrian. These events have sparked a public outcry and prompted California legislators to call for tighter regulations on the nascent industry.
David J. Canepa, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors vice president, articulated the growing safety concerns, asserting that "This will provide the opportunity to fully engage the autonomous vehicle maker on our very real public safety concerns that have caused all kinds of dangerous situations for firefighters and police in neighboring San Francisco," in a statement obtained by TechCrunch. Meanwhile, Waymo expressed its commitment to collaboration, reaching out to government and business entities to smooth over concerns and seeking approval for its updated safety protocols and expansion plans, despite some opposition from city and county authorities, as well as the San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance.
As the dust settles, the reality remains that California's ambition to lead the charge in the autonomous vehicle revolution faces real-world checks and balances, with the safety of its citizens riding shotgun as the state navigates the complex road ahead.
