The California Public Utilities Commission has given Waymo the green light to broaden its commercial robotaxi operation into more areas south of San Francisco, marking a significant step forward for the Alphabet-owned autonomous driving firm.
Waymo confirmed the approval came through, but clarified that the decision would not immediately alter its near-term deployment plans in the region. Currently, the company’s autonomous vehicles provide commercial driverless transportation services throughout the entirety of San Francisco, along with several Peninsula communities including portions of Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Sunnyvale. Altogether, Waymo’s present operational footprint spans approximately 85 square miles.
In a public statement, Waymo expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, noting the CPUC approval specifically includes authorization to operate in much of the South Bay and virtually all of San Jose.
Looking farther ahead, Waymo also has its sights set on accessing San Francisco International Airport (SFO), although those ambitions remain on a longer development track. In March, the company secured a temporary permit allowing vehicles—operated by human drivers—to map the areas within SFO. This initial permit serves as a precursor to a phased approach, ultimately positioning Waymo to launch future autonomous commercial services at the airport.
Waymo’s expanding U.S. presence already includes robust services in other metropolitan areas beyond Silicon Valley. The company currently completes roughly 250,000 paid rides per week, running autonomous vehicle services not only in California, but also in major cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and most recently, Austin.
