DMV greenlights Waymo driverless taxis to expand services across Bay Area and beyond

Waymo, a leading player in the self-driving car industry, has received approval from California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to expand its driverless taxi service across the entire Bay Area and beyond.

The DMV gave Waymo the green light to launch the robotaxis in the North Bay, East Bay, and eastward to Sacramento. The company's existing service currently operates from San Francisco down to the South Bay, but users cannot yet order a ride from the city to other parts of the bay.

Experts say this is a significant milestone for Waymo, which aims to revolutionize transportation in California. "It's a major milestone for Waymo," said Ahmed Banafa, a tech expert and professor at San Jose State University. "They're trying very hard to cover the whole state, and this kind of technology should expand here and people should get a taste of driverless or robotaxis."

However, there are also concerns about safety, which is a major issue for the company's self-driving taxis. Banafa warned that scaling up operations will come with numerous challenges, including manufacturing workers, modifying cars, and ensuring public safety.

Waymo has responded to the approval by expressing its gratitude and pride in providing safe and reliable rides to millions of people in San Francisco and Los Angeles each month.

As Waymo's robotaxis become more ubiquitous, residents have mixed feelings about riding in them. While some are excited about the prospect of using self-driving cars, others are skeptical due to concerns about safety and liability.

Patrick Phan, a resident of Alameda, expressed skepticism, saying "Maybe if it becomes cheaper than Lyft driver services, then maybe I'll use it, but if not, I don't think so." Courtney Lewis from Alameda shared similar doubts, stating "I wouldn't use it. I just don't think I would."

On the other hand, Teira Starling saw the potential benefits of self-driving cars and expressed her support for Waymo's mission. "It's cool," she said. "I think I won't use it, but I would like to see it passing with nobody driving in it."

Waymo has not specified when its service will begin in these new areas, as the company still needs to go through the California Public Utilities Commission to set rates for riders.

The DMV's approval paves the way for Waymo to further expand its services and push forward its vision of a driverless transportation system.

I'm kinda split on this one ... On one hand, I think it's awesome that Waymo is pushing the boundaries of autonomous tech and making progress towards revolutionizing transportation in Cali . The potential benefits for commuters are huge – less traffic congestion, more time for yourself, and a safer ride . Plus, who wouldn't want to skip on human error behind the wheel .

On the other hand, I can understand why some folks are skeptical about safety concerns ... I mean, it's one thing to test out self-driving taxis in controlled environments, but scaling up operations and dealing with real-world variables is a whole different ball game ️. What if something goes wrong? How do we hold the company accountable for any accidents or mishaps?

I think Waymo needs to continue addressing these concerns and working closely with regulators, safety experts, and the public to build trust ... We need to make sure this tech is safe, reliable, and accessible to everyone . If they can pull it off, it'll be a game-changer for transportation in Cali !

omg yaaas this is sooo exciting !! i've been waiting for this moment for ages!! waymo is literally changing the game with their self-driving taxis they're gonna revolutionize transportation in california and make it safer and more reliable for everyone can't wait to ride in one soon

I don't usually comment but I think this is kinda cool that Waymo is expanding its self-driving taxi service across California . It's like, we've been hearing about this stuff for years now and it's finally becoming a reality . I mean, safety concerns are valid and all, but at the same time, it's also pretty exciting to think that people will be able to get around without having to drive themselves .

I'm not sure if I'd use it myself yet, but I do love the idea of just being able to hop in a car and go wherever you want without having to worry about driving . And it's not like it's going to replace human drivers or anything - it's more like an option for people who want it .

I think what I'm most looking forward to is when this stuff starts getting cheaper , because right now it seems like it's still pretty pricey compared to just using a regular taxi . If that happens, I might be more likely to give it a try .

I think this is a huge win for Waymo, but it also raises some interesting questions about scalability. As Ahmed Banafa mentioned, expanding operations will undoubtedly come with its fair share of challenges, from manufacturing to public safety. It's reassuring to see Waymo acknowledging these concerns and prioritizing safety, but we should also be prepared to address any potential issues that arise. I'm excited to see how this technology will continue to evolve and improve, especially in terms of affordability and accessibility.

I'm low-key glad they got the green light from Cali DMV , but I gotta wonder if people are thinking about what it was like back in the day when you had to use maps or ask for directions ? Now we're gonna have these robotaxis taking over the Bay Area and Sacramento... it's a bit overwhelming for me . Safety is definitely a concern tho, but at least they're acknowledging the challenges ahead . I just hope they keep innovating and not get too caught up in making money , 'cause that's when things can go downhill

I'm thinking what if they make it super easy to order those robotaxis, like just a tap on your phone? And then safety concerns start to fade away? The more people who use them, the better Waymo's AI gets at predicting and avoiding accidents... right?

I'm glad we're finally seeing self-driving cars become more accessible in Cali . I mean, it's been talked about for years now and I was starting to think it was just going to be one of those pipe dream things. But Waymo's actually making it happen!

I do have some concerns about safety though. I get that the tech is supposed to be top-notch and all, but accidents can still happen, right? And what about liability? Who's gonna be responsible if something goes wrong?

But for real, I'm excited to see how this whole self-driving thing shakes out. I've been riding in those Waymo cars in SF and they're actually pretty smooth . And hey, even if it doesn't catch on right away, it's still cool to see a company pushing the boundaries of tech like this .

I'm kinda surprised that some people are already skeptical about it though. I mean, come on, we've got some of the best engineers in the world working on this stuff! It's only gonna get better and more reliable from here out

I'm low-key hyped about Waymo getting the green light to roll out its robotaxis across the Bay Area . I mean, think about it - no more traffic jams, parking nightmares, or human error . But at the same time, I gotta say, safety is a major concern for me too . Like, what if something goes wrong and someone gets hurt? We need to make sure they're working out all the kinks before we start trusting our lives to AI-powered cars .

I'm also curious to see how much it'll cost to ride in these self-driving taxis - will it be cheaper than Uber or Lyft, or is Waymo gonna price them out of range? And what about liability issues? If something goes wrong and the company's at fault, who do you hold responsible? It's a lot to think about, but I'm also super excited for the potential benefits . Maybe one day we'll be zipping around in autonomous vehicles like it's no big deal .

I'm not sure why people are worried about safety yet... Like, we've been using GPS in cars for years now and it's worked out just fine . And think about all the times you've almost fallen asleep while driving ... Self-driving taxis could be a game-changer for people who can't drive themselves or don't feel safe on the road. Of course, we gotta make sure they're reliable and secure, but I'm not sure that's gonna stop them from happening anyway . Waymo's been working on this tech for years and it's about time they get to test it out in more areas !

idk about dis Waymo's gettin' too big 4 me, 1 day its gonna be everywhere & I dont wanna ride in some robocar . dont get me wrong, tech is cool and all, but safety should b way more prioritized . its like, whats goin 2 happen if somethin goes rong? my mom's always sayin' 'better safe than sorry', & I think shes right . dont wanna be stuck in some self drivin car when somethin bad happens .

I'm seeing this expansion of self-driving taxis in California, and I gotta say ... it's both exciting and scary at the same time. As someone who's lived through the rise of the internet and technology, I remember when we were all about the "future is now" vibe . And now, here we are with robots taking over our roads. Not sure if I'm ready for that just yet...

I mean, safety concerns are valid, but I also think about how this tech could change lives for people who can't drive themselves anymore (e.g., the elderly or those with disabilities). And let's be real, traffic congestion is a nightmare in CA... maybe self-driving cars could be the answer .

But at the same time, I'm also thinking about liability and what happens when something goes wrong. That's just part of the growing pains, right?

Anyway, I'm curious to see how this all plays out. Will we get used to it eventually? Only time (and a few more years of testing) will tell .

Waymo's getting ready to roll out their self-driving taxi service all over Cali! It's like they're trying to drive everyone crazy with options But seriously, it's cool that they're expanding to the whole Bay Area and beyond . I mean, who wouldn't want a ride with a robot at the wheel? Just kidding, safety is still a big concern for me . Like, what if something goes wrong on the road? But hey, I guess it's better than trying to drive myself after that Red Bull binge from last night

this is lit!! finally some progress on autonomous cars i mean it's about time we get rid of those drivers who are just gonna ruin everyone else's day because of their own stupidity but at the same time i gotta ask, how many people actually need a ride in the middle of the bay? like what if i wanna go from san francisco to oakland? don't they have public transport for that already?

Man, I'm both hyped and skeptical about this whole self-driving car thing . On one hand, it's amazing that Waymo is making progress in revolutionizing transportation, especially with the potential to make rides cheaper than those from Lyft drivers . But on the other hand, I've got some concerns too . Like, what happens when something goes wrong and there are no human drivers around to intervene? It's like, we're putting millions of people's lives in the hands of machines .

And let's be real, folks , we still haven't figured out how to make these things safe enough for everyday use. I mean, have you seen those test runs where cars are just cruising around with no one inside? It's like they're begging to crash . And what about the liability thing? Who's gonna be responsible if something goes wrong?

But hey, I guess that's progress for ya . And if Waymo can make these robotaxis safe and reliable, then more power to 'em . Just hope they're not gonna put me out of a job or anything .