A California regulator has put Alphabet Waymo’s robotaxi expansion plans on hold until June 19, citing rising concerns over autonomous vehicles. Waymo plans to expand its robotaxi services to parts of the Los Angeles area and San Francisco’s peninsula. However, a notification by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) website showed that the expansion application has been “suspended for further staff review”.
California Public Utilities Commission guidelines
As per CPUC regulations, an application that is not approved within the first 30 days of initial review goes into suspension for up to 120 days. That suspension can be extended for another 180 days if it is not approved. Down the line, tt can also be rejected or withdrawn. “The ‘suspension’ of an advice letter is a procedural part of the CPUC’s standard and robust review process,” Waymo said in a emailed response to Reuters.
Robotaxis under radar
Waymo currently operates in San Francisco and Phoenix but on January 19, it had applied to expand its driverless services, saying it would work with policymakers, first responders and community organizations. The suspension of the application comes amid growing public hostility towards robotaxis following accidents involving Waymo and rival General Motors’ Cruise robotaxis.
Waymo robotaxi attacked
To make the matters worse, recently, a Waymo robotaxi was attacked and set on fire as it stopped amid Chinese New Year revelers lighting fireworks in San Francisco’s Chinatown. In a following incident, another Waymo car was struck by a bicyclist at a city intersection. Last week, Waymo said it had recalled vehicles after two minor collisions in quick succession in Phoenix because a software error could result in their inaccurately predicting the movement of a towed vehicle.
Cruise robotaxi involved in an accident
In October last year, a self-driving vehicle from GM-owned Cruise dragged a pedestrian 20 feet (6 meters) after the woman came into its way upon being hit by another vehicle. Subsequently, California suspended Cruise’s driverless testing license. It also led to many high-level executive departures from the company. The incidents have pushed California lawmakers to call for stricter regulation of robotaxis and autonomous trucks in the state.