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Waymo Begins Mapping San Francisco Airport Under Temporary Permit

The 30-day agreement allows human-driven vehicles to collect data at SFO, setting the stage for potential future autonomous services.

A Waymo car in the Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco, with the lidar technology on the vehicle visible, on Nov. 17, 2024. 
Waymo vehicles, which travel throughout San Francisco, are now mapping the roadways of San Francisco International Airport, a possible precursor to Waymos making trips to SFO.
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Overview

  • Waymo has received a 30-day permit to map roadways at San Francisco International Airport, effective March 14, 2025, with an option for a 30-day extension.
  • The permit requires human drivers to operate the vehicles and limits operations to two vehicles at a time, prohibiting public passengers and commercial goods delivery.
  • The mapping process will provide crucial data to inform decisions about potential autonomous passenger services at the airport in the future.
  • The agreement includes data-sharing requirements, mandating Waymo to provide detailed trip and vehicle tracking information to SFO after each mapping session.
  • The Teamsters union, initially critical of Waymo, has expressed cautious support for the permit after safety and labor concerns were addressed.