The Alphabet business is attempting to expand to more areas as Waymo continues its push for a driverless future. The state of California has given Waymo a license in its self-driving vehicles this week to transport passengers.
The California Public Utilities Commission, first spotted by TechCrunch, awarded Waymo a license to take part in an Autonomous Vehicle Passenger Service Pilot program on Tuesday. Over 60 businesses currently have licenses in the state to test self-driving vehicles, but Waymo’s license varies. This CPUC license provides the company permission to carry individuals on state highways in their self-driving vehicles.
However, there are still some limitations on this license. For these rides, Waymo is unable to pay passengers and safety drivers still have to be behind the wheel. Reports on safety protocols and complete passenger miles traveled must also be submitted to the CPUC. The CPUC also granted approval to Waymo to contract the necessary security operators after the firm argued that the scale would require staffing from third parties. However, those riders are still going to go through the training program of Waymo.
In a declaration, a spokesman for Waymo suggested how to use this license, making it clear that the business would eventually want to achieve what was accomplished in Phoenix.
"The CPUC allows us to participate in their pilot program, giving Waymo employees the ability to hail our vehicles and bring guests on rides within our South Bay territory. 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."
