On Friday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorized Waymo LLC to participate in the state’s driverless autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot program.
The company would be available to test ride an AV that operates without a driver in the vehicle. As part of the pilot program, Waymo cannot charge people for the rides. Waymo’s permit represents a milestone for driverless passenger service, the commission said, expanding the availability of driverless AV rides to more of the state’s residents and increasing public engagement. The company joins Cruise, LLC as a participant in the project.
“We are seeing momentum build in this space and are working to assure the safe expansion of the driverless pilot program,” said CPUC Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma.
The commission said the Driverless Pilot program is “intended to allow AV companies to develop their technologies on a test basis, and will provide for public safety and consumer protection. The CPUC has established a set of goals related to safety, accessibility, equity, and environmental benefits for AVs and will collect program data to monitor AV carriers’ capabilities.
Now, Waymo may offer driverless passenger services throughout San Francisco and portions of Daly City, as well as portions of Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale. Driverless cars can operate on public roadways with posted speed limits of less than 65 miles an hour at any time of the day or night.