{"id":578154,"date":"2024-03-14T13:40:20","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T17:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therobotreport.com\/?p=578154"},"modified":"2024-03-14T13:40:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T17:40:20","slug":"waymo-robotaxi-service-opens-los-angeles-riders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.therobotreport.com\/waymo-robotaxi-service-opens-los-angeles-riders\/","title":{"rendered":"Waymo robotaxi service opens to Los Angeles riders"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Waymo

Waymo now deploys fully driverless robotaxis in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. | Source: Waymo<\/p><\/div>\n

Less than two weeks after receiving approval to expand to Los Angeles, Waymo<\/a> today opened its driverless robotaxi service to select members of the public in LA. Waymo also said it will roll out a fully driverless robotaxi service in Austin, Texas later in 2024.<\/p>\n

In LA, Waymo said it is now offering rides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in a 63-square-mile area from Santa Monica to Downtown LA. Waymo plans to scale the area over time, a similar approach it’s taken in both Phoenix and San Francisco. The rides in LA will initially be free, but it said it will transition to paid rides in the coming weeks. The company said there will be 50 robotaxis in the LA fleet.<\/p>\n

Waymo has been testing its Level 4 autonomous ride-hailing service in LA since late 2022<\/a>. The company said there are 50,000-plus people on its LA waitlist. It pointed out this marks the first time a fully driverless robotaxi service has ever operated in LA.<\/p>\n

“Once an unimaginable future, autonomous driving<\/a> is now a real-world way of getting around for tens of thousands of people each week,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO, Waymo. “After achieving key milestones in each city, we’re so excited to bring the safety, comfort and delight of our Waymo One service to more people in Los Angeles and Austin this year.”<\/p>\n

The expansion into LA, the second-most populated city in the U.S., comes seven months after Waymo was approved to charge for rides 24\/7 in San Francisco. Its fully driverless robotaxis have been operating in San Francisco since 2022<\/a>. The Robot Report<\/em> has taken multiple rides around San Francisco in Waymo robotaxis, and the experience was flawless each time.<\/p>\n

There are some in LA who aren’t happy that Waymo is being allowed to operate in their city. There have been lawsuits and protests, and some labor leaders worry about issues with jobs and how the robotaxis will affect emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n

\n

Angelenos and Austinites: we\u2019ve got news for you. Beginning tomorrow, we\u2019ll start inviting members of our waitlist to ride with us permanently in LA. And in Austin, we\u2019ll continue fully autonomous testing before welcoming public riders later this year. Read more:\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/M5DbSPYJdA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Waymo (@Waymo) March 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n