Waymo Announces Launch of Free Driverless Robotaxi Services in Los Angeles
On March 13th, Alphabet’s Waymo announced its intention to offer free driverless robotaxi services to select members of the public in Los Angeles, starting the following day. This initiative comes after receiving approval from the California Public Utilities Commission earlier in the month to launch its ride-hailing program, Waymo One, in Los Angeles and certain cities near San Francisco.
Waymo’s move positions it ahead of its competitor Cruise, owned by General Motors, which is currently under scrutiny following an incident involving a driverless Cruise car dragging a pedestrian for 20 feet after an accident. The free services will cover an area of 63 square miles from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles, with the company stating that initial rides will be complimentary.
In a blog post, Waymo mentioned its plan to gradually onboard over 50,000 individuals on its LA waitlist and distribute temporary codes at local events throughout the city. Additionally, the company indicated its intention to expand operations in Los Angeles over time and transition to paid services in the coming weeks.
This move follows Waymo’s launch of autonomous services for its employees in Austin, Texas, marking the fourth city where it offers autonomous ride-hailing, joining San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Waymo also announced its plans to extend Waymo One services to the broader public in Austin later in the year, highlighting its commitment to expanding its driverless transportation services across various cities.
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