Current:Home > FinanceWaymo’s robotaxi service expands into Los Angeles, starting free rides in parts of the city -Visionary Wealth Guides
Waymo’s robotaxi service expands into Los Angeles, starting free rides in parts of the city
View
Date:2025-04-12 22:33:05
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robotaxis will begin cruising the streets of Los Angeles on Thursday when Google spinoff Waymo starts offering free rides to some of the roughly 50,000 people who have signed up for its driverless ride-hailing service.
Waymo is expanding into Los Angeles, the second largest U.S. city, seven months after California regulators authorized its robotaxis to begin charging for around-the-clock rides throughout San Francisco. That came despite objections from local officials who asserted the driverless vehicles posed unacceptable risks to public safety.
Although Waymo isn’t charging for rides in its robotaxis in Los Angeles to start, the company said in a blog post announcing the expansion that it will eventually collect fares from passengers there too. Waymo also hopes to begin commercial operations in Austin, Texas, later this year, a goal that makes its robotaxi service available in four major U.S. cities 15 years after it began as a secret project within Google. Waymo’s robotaxis have been charging for rides in Phoenix since 2020.
For now, Waymo’s free rides in Los Angeles will cover a 63-square-mile (101-square-kilometer) area spanning from Santa Monica to downtown.
Waymo is launching operations in Los Angeles two weeks after the California Public Utilities Commission approved the expansion in a decision that once again overrode the concerns of city transportation officials about robotaxis coming to sudden stops that block roads and the potential for driverless vehicles to malfunction in more serious ways that could jeopardize lives.
The worst fears about robotaxis were realized in San Francisco last October when a vehicle operated by Cruise, a driverless ride-hailing service owned by General Motors, dragged a pedestrian who was hit by another car operated by a human for 20 feet (6 meters) while traveling at roughly 7 mph (11 kph) before coming to a stop. The incident resulted in California regulators suspending Cruise’s state license and triggered a massive shakeup at that service.
Waymo’s robotaxis so far haven’t been involved in any major accidents.
veryGood! (14936)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Bill Maher postpones return to the air, the latest TV host to balk at working during writers strike
- Marilyn Manson pleads no contest to blowing nose on videographer, gets fine, community service
- Republican legislatures flex muscles to maintain power in two closely divided states
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Nigel becomes a hurricane but poses no immediate threat to land as it swirls through Atlantic
- Horoscopes Today, September 17, 2023
- With playmakers on both sides of ball, undefeated 49ers look primed for another playoff run
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Senators to meet with Zelenskyy on Thursday
Ranking
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- A Florida man bought a lottery ticket with his Publix sub. He won $5 million.
- ‘Spring tide’ ocean waves crash into buildings in South Africa, leaving 2 dead and injuring several
- Taylor Frankie Paul Is Pregnant Nearly One Year After Pregnancy Loss
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- With playmakers on both sides of ball, undefeated 49ers look primed for another playoff run
- CBS News Biden-Trump poll finds concerns about Biden finishing a second term, and voters' finances also weigh on Biden
- Georgia still No. 1, while Alabama, Tennessee fall out of top 10 of the US LBM Coaches Poll
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise's Daughter Bella Celebrates the End of Summer With Rare Selfie
Trial in Cyprus for 5 Israelis accused of gang raping a British woman is to start Oct. 5
A railroad worker was crushed to death in Ohio by a remote-controlled train. Unions have concerns
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
The strike by auto workers is entering its 4th day with no signs that a breakthrough is near
Halloweentown Costars Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz Tease Magical Wedding Plans
Two arrested in fentanyl-exposure death of 1-year-old at Divino Niño daycare