Recently, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has called on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to put a stop to the robotaxi expansions of Waymo and Cruise. This issue has raised questions about the lack of public safety concerns and regulations surrounding automated driving services.
The Board’s call to the CPUC came in response to the recent protests of residents who are concerned about the safety of the companies’ robotaxis and let’s face it, the city’s exasperation at the idea of turning its roads into a testing ground for autonomous driving technologies.
Although Waymo and Cruise launched their robotaxi services in San Francisco months ago, demonstrator rides have been sporadic and the companies have failed to meet public sector expectations on issues such as safety protocols, insurance coverage, and public disclosure of information on the cars’ capabilities and performance. With such a lack of oversight, San Francisco is questioning whether the robotaxi services should be allowed to expand within its borders.
In an effort to subpoena the companies for additional information, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors made an official request to CPUC, the California Public Utilities Commission. The request asked the Commission to suspend their approval for Waymo and Cruise to operate and expand their fleets, until the companies are able to provide data confirming their vehicles are safe to operate in San Francisco and adhere to the cities regulations.
With the rise of automated vehicles, there is no doubt that questions about public safety and regulation are going to become increasingly important. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is evidently serious about not allowing the companies to grow without more oversight and regulation. It remains to be seen, however, if and how these companies will respond to the Board’s request. Hopefully, by pressing the CPUC, the Board will set a precedent for upholding responsible legislation and public safety regulations in the realm of autonomous driving services.
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