Waymo wants to expand its robotaxi service into Los Angeles, allowing it to grow from its current base in San Francisco to offer more customers the chance to ride in one of its fully autonomous prototypes.
The self-driving division of Alphabet applied to the California Public Utilities Commission for a license that would allow it to offer rides in Los Angeles, albeit on an invitation-only basis. Waymo added that it will work with policymakers in the city, responders, and community organizations to launch the service.
While Waymo currently operates most of its robotaxis in San Francisco, it recently announced it will soon start testing its self-driving vehicles on freeways in Phoenix, Arizona, and also plans to expand operations into Austin, Texas, Auto News notes.
Autonomous vehicles developed by companies like Waymo and Cruise have come under increased regulatory scrutiny in recent months after a Chevrolet Bolt EV operated by Cruise hit and ran over a pedestrian in October last year. This resulted in the firm’s permits to test in California being suspended and in December, the firm cut 24% of its workforce as part of a restructuring to improve its focus on safety.
Read: Driverless Waymo Cuts Off Another Waymo At Stop Sign
While Cruise has been in the firing line, Waymo recently released data that it says shows just how safe its vehicles are. According to its data, Waymo vehicles experience an 85% reduction in injury-causing crashes and a 57% reduction in police-reported crash rates compared to human-driven vehicles. Waymo compiled data from 7.14 million miles of driverless Waymo rides conducted in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco to come to its conclusion.
Waymo’s vehicles aren’t immune to crashing, however. NHTSA data released in August last year revealed that in the two years prior, the agency had been made aware of 150 crashes involving Waymo cars.
