Waymo has cleared a significant regulatory hurdle to expand its autonomous ride-hailing operations. The California Public Utilities Commission granted the company approval to scale its driverless services across the state. This move allows the Alphabet-owned firm to broaden its reach within the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Beyond existing territories, the company plans to enter two new markets in California. Sacramento and San Diego are the next targets for the robotaxi service. This expansion marks a shift for autonomous vehicle deployment in the region, bringing the firm closer to its goal of wider availability.
The company stated that these launches will occur gradually, guided by an internal safety framework. While official timelines for the new locations remain unannounced, the move follows a year of groundwork following initial authorization from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Waymo currently maintains a fleet of thousands of vehicles across several major U.S. cities. Its operations already span San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. The company also initiated plans earlier this year to establish a presence in the Midwest, specifically Chicago, as part of a broader national strategy.
This growth arrives amid ongoing attention to fleet performance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted recent software issues involving freeway construction zones that led to a recall of approximately 4,000 vehicles. As the company moves to increase its footprint, it continues to address these technical challenges to maintain operational safety standards.