Google's Waymo Prepared To Trial Robotaxi Services with Employees in Los Angeles

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  • Alphabet Inc's GOOG GOOGL self-driving trucking unit Waymo proposed testing its autonomous Jaguar I-Paces without a human safety operator in Los Angeles in the next couple of weeks. 
  • Initially, only employees could hail rides in the driverless robotaxis, TechCrunch reports
  • Waymo's services will be available "outside of traditional rush hour times.
  • Also Read: Uber And Motional Tap Las Vegas For Their Collaborative Robotaxi Debut
  • While Waymo mapped several LA neighborhoods, including Downtown, Miracle Mile, Koreatown, and Westwood, since 2019, the company will start its rider-only testing in Santa Monica before gradually ramping up. 
  • The move marked Waymo's commercializing robotaxi services in its second California city.
  • Last October, Waymo first shared plans to launch a 24/7 robotaxi service in LA. 
  • In November, the California Department of Motor Vehicles granted Waymo a modification to its existing driverless testing permit to expand beyond San Francisco and into Los Angeles. 
  • Waymo also bagged permission to begin charging for services, like delivery, driven fully autonomously in San Francisco.
  • Waymo still awaited the final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to charge for driverless robotaxi services in San Francisco.
  • Waymo must win more permits before beginning an excellent commercial robotaxi service in LA.
  • Waymo also recently opened to members of the public fully autonomous rides from downtown Phoenix to the airport. The company has operated a paid robotaxi service in Chandler, just outside Phoenix, since 2020.
  • Last December, General Motors Co GM owned robotaxi completed its first paid rides for members of the public in Phoenix and Austin. Cruise, until then, only operated its ride-hailing service in San Francisco.
  • Price Action: GOOG shares traded higher by 0.30% at $90.37 premarket on the last check Tuesday.
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