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Waymo and Cruise are two startups that have been allowed to offer commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco, although in limited areas and time intervals. California regulators are weighing whether to allow those companies to expand their operations in the city, and San Francisco officials fear the worst.
Many companies are working tirelessly to advance autonomous driving, and most are testing their technology in California. This is no coincidence, as the Golden State is home to many tech startups. The dream of solving autonomous driving seems closer than ever, with some companies already offering commercial robotaxi services. Waymo and Cruise are the most advanced, both being authorized to deploy their autonomous vehicles on the streets of San Francisco.
Robotaxis has become a common appearance in the city, although Cruise and Waymo only got permission to operate in restricted areas and mostly at night. As more autonomous vehicles are deployed, the number of incidents has increased, despite both companies claiming their technologies are better than human drivers. Things could get even more awkward as Cruise and Waymo requested permission to expand operations to 24/7 paid rides anywhere in the city.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will announce a decision on July 13, and everyone expects state regulators to approve the requests. This means that both companies will be able to operate freely, much like Lyft and Uber do in San Francisco. Although both claim their technology will lead to safer streets, city officials are not thrilled by the state regulators' decision. Autonomous driving is still seen as a fringe technology with huge associated risks.
San Francisco leaders have written letters of protest to the state regulators. They reminded of an increase in the number of incidents involving robotaxis in San Francisco. These include driverless cars blocking traffic, disrupting emergency operations and bus routes, and clashing with bicycles and pedestrians. The SF Fire Department is especially pissed, as the officials logged 66 incidents since May 2022.
"We've had them run over our fire hoses. We've had our hoses get caught in their axles. We've had them block fire engines, and we've had them come into live active fire scenes," Jeanine Nicholson, chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, told Washington Post. "We need something to change."
People fear that allowing Cruise and Waymo to expand operating areas and hours would cause more problems on San Francisco streets. The city officials have little say in this matter, which is regulated by the state. Neither company says how many autonomous vehicles are operating in the city or how many will be added to their fleets after the expansion is approved.
Cruise is currently allowed to charge for driverless passenger pickups and drop-offs in limited areas of the city during the night between 10 PM and 6 AM. It can also offer free rides anywhere and anytime, with or without a safety driver. Waymo, on the other hand, can only offer paid rides when a safety driver is present in the vehicle. It can still provide fully autonomous pickup and drop-off if the ride is free.
Robotaxis has become a common appearance in the city, although Cruise and Waymo only got permission to operate in restricted areas and mostly at night. As more autonomous vehicles are deployed, the number of incidents has increased, despite both companies claiming their technologies are better than human drivers. Things could get even more awkward as Cruise and Waymo requested permission to expand operations to 24/7 paid rides anywhere in the city.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will announce a decision on July 13, and everyone expects state regulators to approve the requests. This means that both companies will be able to operate freely, much like Lyft and Uber do in San Francisco. Although both claim their technology will lead to safer streets, city officials are not thrilled by the state regulators' decision. Autonomous driving is still seen as a fringe technology with huge associated risks.
San Francisco leaders have written letters of protest to the state regulators. They reminded of an increase in the number of incidents involving robotaxis in San Francisco. These include driverless cars blocking traffic, disrupting emergency operations and bus routes, and clashing with bicycles and pedestrians. The SF Fire Department is especially pissed, as the officials logged 66 incidents since May 2022.
"We've had them run over our fire hoses. We've had our hoses get caught in their axles. We've had them block fire engines, and we've had them come into live active fire scenes," Jeanine Nicholson, chief of the San Francisco Fire Department, told Washington Post. "We need something to change."
People fear that allowing Cruise and Waymo to expand operating areas and hours would cause more problems on San Francisco streets. The city officials have little say in this matter, which is regulated by the state. Neither company says how many autonomous vehicles are operating in the city or how many will be added to their fleets after the expansion is approved.
Cruise is currently allowed to charge for driverless passenger pickups and drop-offs in limited areas of the city during the night between 10 PM and 6 AM. It can also offer free rides anywhere and anytime, with or without a safety driver. Waymo, on the other hand, can only offer paid rides when a safety driver is present in the vehicle. It can still provide fully autonomous pickup and drop-off if the ride is free.
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