Waymo Cleared to Expand Driverless Taxis in Bay Area

Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving unit, has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service into the South Bay and nearly all of San Jose, marking the first time a commercial driverless taxi fleet can operate there. This approval comes after permits from the California DMV and amid growing interest in autonomous transportation, with local officials highlighting potential safety and accessibility benefits. Waymo plans a gradual rollout, maintaining its methodical approach and continued collaboration with local communities. The company already conducts over 250,000 rides weekly in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. Recent industry developments include Waymo’s recall of more than 1,200 vehicles for software updates following safety concerns, and competition from Tesla, which plans to launch its robotaxi service in California later this year. The announcement led to a modest rise in Alphabet’s stock and positive sentiment in AI-focused cryptocurrencies.