In an aerial view, Waymo autonomous vehicles sit parked in a staging area on June 08, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
Justin Sullivan | Getty ImagesAlphabet Inc's Waymo and General Motors' Cruise can operate paid robotaxi services using unmanned self-driving vehicles throughout San Francisco, California state regulators voted on Thursday, in the face of vigorous pushback from city transportation, safety agencies and many residents.
The move marks a critical step forward in regulating the robot cars, which Waymo, Cruise and others have been systematically rolling out in cities and states around the nation.
San Francisco, however, is important as a both symbolic hub of tech and, with over 500 autonomous vehicles already in operation, it is the largest test lab for the experimental cars.
The vehicles, with empty driver seats and self-turning steering wheels, have become a common sight around San Francisco.
Persons:
Justin Sullivan, –, Cruise, Uber, Waymo
Organizations:
General Motors, California Public Utilities Commission, Locals
Locations:
San Francisco , California, San Francisco