Waymo Expands California Robotaxi Approval Amid Tesla Competition

Alphabet’s autonomous driving division Waymo has secured regulatory approval to broaden its robotaxi service across more regions of California, including the San Francisco Peninsula and San Jose. The California Public Utilities Commission granted the expansion after Waymo’s March request, noting 23 supportive responses and no opposition from stakeholders.

Despite the green light, Waymo confirmed it will not immediately roll out services in these newly approved areas. A spokesperson stated that expansions of its Waymo One service will proceed “methodically over time,” without offering a specific timeline or reason for the delay.

The approval coincides with Tesla’s preparation to launch its own paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, next month. CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to expand the service into California later this year, intensifying competition in the growing autonomous ride-hailing market.

Waymo remains the only U.S. company currently offering fully driverless robotaxi rides to paying passengers. Operating a fleet of over 1,500 self-driving vehicles, Waymo facilitates more than 250,000 rides weekly across cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin.

However, safety concerns continue to shadow the industry. Waymo recently recalled over 1,200 vehicles to update software after identifying potential risks involving collisions with gates, chains, and other obstacles. This follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which last year launched a probe into the company’s autonomous driving systems.

Meanwhile, NHTSA is also investigating Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software performance under low-visibility conditions. The agency has requested further details from Tesla regarding its upcoming robotaxi deployment to assess safety standards in adverse weather.

As robotaxi services race toward broader adoption, regulatory scrutiny and public safety remain pivotal in shaping the future of autonomous mobility in the U.S.