Robotaxi Services Approved to Offer Full-Time Driverless Ride Services in San Francisco Despite Safety Concerns

California regulators approved Cruise and Waymo to operate their self-driving taxis without restrictions in San Francisco, allowing them to expand their services.
The approval came after months of opposition from city agencies and residents concerned about traffic disruptions and interference with first responders.
Cruise and Waymo will be able to offer paid, driverless rides anywhere in San Francisco at any time, making it the first major U.S. city with two competing robotaxi services.
The companies view the approval as a milestone in their plans to eventually deploy autonomous ride services more broadly in congested cities.
Critics argue the autonomous vehicle technology still faces issues with unexpected stops or behavior that could impede traffic flow and emergency response.