Waymo has received approval to expand its driverless ride-hailing service across California, adding new services in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Sacramento, and San Diego.
The California Public Utilities Commission granted Waymo's application on Friday, allowing the company to significantly broaden its operational footprint in the state.
"This is an important milestone that will allow Waymo to bring the safety and mobility benefits millions of Californians already enjoy to more communities across the state," Waymo said in a press release. The company stated that the expansion will be gradual and guided by its safety framework.
Previously, Waymo's driverless services were largely confined to San Francisco, San Jose, and specific areas within Los Angeles. The California Department of Motor Vehicles had authorized the company last year to operate in expanded regions, including Sacramento and areas down to the Mexican border, with Friday's approval from the CPUC finalizing those permits.
Waymo plans to launch in San Diego by the end of the summer and is continuing to validate its technology in Sacramento, though specific launch dates for these new areas have not yet been announced.
The company has reported that its vehicles have been involved in approximately 94% fewer serious injury crashes over 220 million autonomous miles driven. Waymo's driverless ride-hailing services are currently available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix. The company has also expressed intentions to expand its operations to Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C.