Robotaxis scored a huge victory on Monday after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted in favor of allowing the driverless transportation service to operate in the state 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The approval applies to robotaxis, such as those operated by Waymo, Cruise, Zoox, and Pony.ai, and is a first of-its-kind decision in the United States.
Robotaxis have been operating in the Golden State for several years now under limited hours and conditions, due to certain safety concerns. With the new ruling, however, the service can finally fully realize its potential and offer a 24/7 service in the state of California.
The expanded hours come with added safety features. Before being granted approval, robotaxi providers had to prove they were living up to the state’s safety standards with additional training, occupant protection protocols, and vehicle maintenance measures.
The approval is a major milestone for the robotaxi industry, and a huge win for Californians who now have a safe, eco-friendly, and affordable transportation option available to them at any hour.
The CPUC commissioner Carla Peterman applauded the decision, saying, “I know that we have all worked really hard to make this happen. It’s been a long and thoughtful process, and I am incredibly grateful for the public safety advocates, autonomous vehicle companies, and all of the members of the general public who informed our decision with their expertise and insights.”
The historic ruling will no doubt set a precedent for other states across the country which are looking to the Golden State as an example for how to regulate and approve driverless vehicles.
The approval marks a huge milestone for the industry, and those involved are certainly looking forward to a new dawn for robotaxi service in California.