© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A Waymo rider-only robotaxi is seen throughout a take a look at experience in San Francisco, California, U.S., December 9, 2022. REUTERS/Paresh Dave/FILE PHOTO
(Reuters) -Waymo, Alphabet (NASDAQ:) Inc’s autonomous driving unit, mentioned on Friday it had utilized to the California Public Utilities Fee to increase its driverless service in Los Angeles.
A license would permit Waymo, which operates extensively in San Francisco, to completely function its fleet in Los Angeles, California’s largest metropolis, the place it’s now testing rides, permitting new rides solely by invitation.
The utilities fee didn’t instantly reply to Reuters request for remark.
The corporate posted on social media platform X that it could work with Los Angeles policymakers, first responders and neighborhood organizations to launch its ride-hailing service. It didn’t present particulars on when its service will go dwell.
Waymo mentioned this month it could start testing its totally autonomous passenger vehicles and not using a human driver on freeways in Phoenix, Arizona, the place it now gives rides within the metropolitan space. The corporate additionally goals to function in Austin, Texas.
The corporate final yr pushed again its efforts to develop a industrial autonomous trucking expertise quickly after autonomous driving software program got here underneath robust regulatory scrutiny.
Normal Motors (NYSE:)’ Cruise driverless automobile unit paused all supervised and handbook automobile journeys within the U.S. final yr after an accident led to the suspension of driverless automobile operations.