The future of taxi services in Los Angeles took a significant leap as Waymo kicked off its paid robotaxi operations on Wednesday. The self-driving pioneer, which spun off from Google, is now ferrying passengers around the City of Angels, offering a glimpse into a driverless era. Waymo's product management director Chris Ludwick heralded the expansion, saying, "The reception from Angelenos so far has been exceptional, and we look forward to welcoming more riders into our service over time," according to NBC News, 

Last month, the state gave Waymo the green light for their paid services, escalating the transportation game in a metropolis where cars reign supreme. Beginning with fewer than 50 vehicles, Waymo covers a span of 63 square miles, a territory that includes Santa Monica and downtown L.A. Waymo's move comes despite the Los Angeles Department of Transportation's concerns over rapid expansion without sufficient local oversight, as detailed by FOX LA.

This innovation lands amidst controversy, including fears of potential job losses for drivers and past technical mishaps, such as interference with emergency vehicles. Even so, Waymo has boasted an impressive safety record with no serious injuries reported, FOX LA noted.