On Tuesday, Waymo, a tech startup born out of Google, announced its commencement of paid robotaxi services in Los Angeles, marking a significant stride in the nation’s exploration of autonomous vehicle technology. After unveiling plans for the service earlier in January and navigating through state regulatory hurdles and local endorsements, Waymo is set to roll out its paid offering following a period of free “tour” rides and recent regulatory green lights, despite opposition from the Teamsters union and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation. The project was initially previewed in a 2022 blog post by Waymo.
With over 50,000 individuals already on its waiting list, Waymo is yet to disclose the number of users permitted to utilize the app as of Wednesday’s launch. Starting with a fleet of fewer than 50 cars spanning a 63-square-mile area from Santa Monica to downtown L.A., Waymo aims to cater to a population of 9.7 million in Los Angeles County.
Operating akin to popular ride-hailing apps like Flywheel, Lyft, and Uber, Waymo’s service distinguishes itself by eliminating human drivers from the equation. Riders receive instructions via the app and the vehicle’s sound system, with remote assistance available from Waymo personnel.
Robotaxis are gaining momentum as technological advancements progress, with Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk hinting at a forthcoming robotaxi product in August. Meanwhile, Cruise, a General Motors subsidiary, is resuming its human-driven vehicle operations in select cities like Phoenix as it inches closer to fully autonomous services.
While various China-based tech startups experiment with self-driving cars on Californian roads, Waymo currently faces competition solely from traditional, human-driven car services.
Expanding its autonomous for-profit taxi services to Los Angeles, Waymo extends its footprint to the nation’s second-largest city, known for its car-centric culture. Already operational in San Francisco and Phoenix, Waymo’s Los Angeles move is lauded as a milestone by Chris Ludwick, Waymo’s product management director.
Despite criticisms surrounding job displacement and operational mishaps such as obstructing city buses or emergency vehicles, Waymo’s technology boasts a superior safety record compared to human drivers, with no reported deaths or serious injuries. However, concerns persist regarding traffic congestion and the lack of local oversight over autonomous vehicle operations.
Advocates argue that human drivers contribute to the staggering annual traffic death toll in the U.S., while Waymo vehicles exhibit better adherence to traffic laws. In San Francisco, driverless vehicles have even become a tourist attraction.
Opponents, including the Teamsters, are determined to impede the expansion of autonomous taxi services. A pending bill in the California Senate seeks to grant cities and counties authority over robotaxi services, challenging the current jurisdiction held by state government agencies. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for next week.
