Autonomous Cars Have Just Been Cleared To Run As A Cab-Sharing Service On Public Roads!

Self driving vehicle technology has reached a stage wherein it is able to sustainably perform its functions of maneuvering a vehicle from point A to point B. Examples of this can easily be seen in cars like Tesla which cruise to their destination on their own on the AutoPilot mode. But even though autonomous technology is being used in private vehicles, it is yet to be deployed for a ride sharing system. Google¡¯s autonomous technology venture ¡®Waymo¡¯ will now do just that, having attained the permission to do so by California regulators.

California regulators have confirmed that Waymo can now begin a program under which the company will be allowed to transport passengers in its robotaxis within the state premises. The permit was granted by the California Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday and now makes Waymo a part of the state¡¯s Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service pilot.

The permit allows the company to set the frame for its eventual commercial ride sharing vision in the area. Its spokesperson said in a statement. ¡°This is the next step in our path to eventually expand and offer more Californians opportunities to access our self-driving technology, just as we have gradually done with Waymo One in Metro Phoenix.¡±

A Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid self-driving vehicle. (Image: Reuters)

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Waymo currently has two electric car models in its autonomous fleet - Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans and Jaguar I-PACE. With the approval from the CPUC, the firm will now be able to transport passengers in these cars, a step up from the California Department of Motor Vehicles permit that only allows a company to test its self-driving vehicles in the state.

There are some restrictions on these operations though. The firm will not be able to charge passengers for these rides. It is also required to have a safety driver behind the wheels at all times. Waymo will also have to share reports with CPUC about the safety protocols followed as well as the total miles covered.

This is not the first time that such a permit has been offered though. Zoox, Pony.ai and AutoX are some of the autonomous companies which have also received similar permits in the past.

Waymo ride-hailing app. (Image: Reuters)

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Waymo began with its commercial cab hailing service back in December under the banner Waymo One. With an accompanying app, the model works in a similar way as it will now, transporting passengers with a test driver behind an autonomous car. The service is chargeable though.

Across seas, in China, a similar cab-booking service will be starting in July by WeRide, an Uber and Waymo competitor which has chosen Guangzhou and Anqing as the two regions to initiate the service.