Waymo Starts Offering Free Driverless Robotaxi Services In Los Angeles

JAKARTA Alphabet's subsidiary Waymo announced on Wednesday March 13 that it will start offering driverless robotaxi services for free to a number of community members in Los Angeles starting this Thursday.

The company received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CLUC) earlier this month to start their ride-hailing program, Waymo One, in Los Angeles and several cities near San Francisco.

Waymo's latest plan put him ahead of rival Cruise. Moreover, the company owned by General Motors is currently being watched after a driverless Cruise car dragged a pedestrian 20 feet after an accident.

The company said services would be available in an area of 63 square miles from Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles, adding that the initial trip would be free.

"We will permanently welcome passengers into our service, gradually including more than 50,000 people on our waiting list at LA and continuing to provide temporary code at local events across the city," Waymo said in a blog post.

The company also added that it will expand its operations in Los Angeles over time and switch to paid services in the coming weeks.

Waymo started autonomous services for its employees in Austin, Texas, making it the fourth autonomous ride-hailing city after San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

The company plans to offer Waymo One to the general public in Austin further this year.