"Waymo continues to expand its reach, with the robotaxi company posting Friday that it's now "officially authorized to drive fully autonomously across more of the Golden State." Waymo already operates in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles (and outside California as well, in Atlanta, Austin, and Phoenix). But maps published by California's Department of Motor Vehicles showed that the company can now test and deploy its autonomous vehicles across a much larger area in both the Bay Area and Southern California."
"In the Bay Area, Waymo's approved areas of operation now include most of the East Bay and North Bay (including Napa/Wine Country), as well as Sacramento. In Southern California, the company's approved territory now stretches from Santa Clarita (north of Los Angeles) to San Diego. The company will need additional regulatory approval before it can carry paying passengers in some of these regions, according to the San Francisco Chronicle."
"Although Waymo's post doesn't offer many details about when it plans to actually start offering rides in all these new areas, the company wrote, "Next stop: welcoming riders in San Diego in mid-2026!" The company had previously announced its intention to launch in San Diego next year, along with Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, D.C."
Waymo received authorization to operate fully autonomous vehicles across significantly more of California, expanding coverage in both the Bay Area and Southern California. Approved Bay Area zones include most of the East Bay and North Bay, including Napa/Wine Country, plus Sacramento. Southern California approval now extends from Santa Clarita to San Diego. Additional regulatory approval remains required before carrying paying passengers in some regions. Waymo plans to welcome riders in San Diego in mid-2026 and previously announced broader launch targets across numerous U.S. cities. Recent operational changes include entering new markets, removing safety drivers, and enabling freeway rides.
Read at TechCrunch
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