Waymo to Launch Paid Robotaxi Service in Los Angeles

NBC News wrote that the buzz surrounding autonomous taxis is on the rise, with GM subsidiary Cruise announcing the resumption of some operations and Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinting at a product launch in August.

Tech startup Waymo revealed on Tuesday its plans to roll out a paid robotaxi ride service in Los Angeles starting Wednesday, marking a significant step forward in the nation's exploration of self-driving vehicle technology.

Waymo, a spinoff of Google, disclosed details of its Los Angeles service in January, seeking regulatory approval and local endorsement. Despite opposition from the Teamsters union and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Waymo received regulatory clearance last month to transition to a paid service after previously offering free "tour" rides in the city. The project was initially teased in a blog post back in 2022.

With over 50,000 people already on its waitlist, Waymo aims to cater to a significant demand for its service. While the company did not specify the number of users it would onboard immediately, it previously announced plans to commence operations with a fleet of fewer than 50 vehicles covering a 63-square-mile area from Santa Monica to downtown L.A. in a county with a population exceeding 9.7 million.

Operating much like traditional ride-hailing apps such as Flywheel, Lyft, and Uber, Waymo's robotaxis function without human drivers. Riders receive instructions via the app and the vehicle's sound system, with remote assistance available from Waymo staff if needed.

The advancement of robotaxis is garnering increased attention as technology progresses. Tesla's Elon Musk recently hinted at an upcoming robotaxi product reveal in August, while Cruise announced the reintroduction of human-driven vehicles in select cities like Phoenix as a precursor to driverless operations.

Meanwhile, various China-based tech startups are conducting trials of self-driving cars on California roads, drawing regulatory scrutiny.

For now, Waymo faces competition only from traditional human-driven car services. The expansion of Waymo's services to Los Angeles represents a significant milestone, bringing autonomous taxis to the nation's second-largest city and a long-standing hub of car culture. Waymo already operates commercial robotaxi services in San Francisco and Phoenix.

Chris Ludwick, Waymo's product management director, hailed the move to Los Angeles as a significant achievement.