MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Robotaxis Now Patrol San Francisco 24/7

First major US city to get full service sees problems in its first weekend.

August 14, 2023
Robotaxis Now Patrol San Francisco 24/7

Decision could make way for expansion of driverless taxis in other areas of the U.S., where the technology has drawn skepticism due to safety concerns.

Credit:

IMAGE: Cruise

1 min to read


San Francisco gave two providers the green light for self-driving taxis to expand in the city and operate there round the clock.

Cruise and Waymo got the go-ahead from the California Public Utilities Commission, which voted three to one to approve the expanded service, including more operating taxis.

San Franciso is now the first major U.S. city to allow fully autonomous taxis citywide and round the clock after Waymo introduced the service in Chandler, Ariz. in 2020, followed by downtown Phoenix.

The move could make way for expansion of driverless taxis in other areas of the U.S., where the self-driving technology has drawn skepticism due to safety concerns.

The weekend after the San Francisco expansion, deployed Cruise taxis caused a traffic jam on narrow streets in the city’s North Beach neighborhood, about a dozen of them frozen in place as they struggled to navigate the tight area on a busy night. Cruise told news reporters that wireless connectivity issues and the nearby Outside Lands Music Festival led to the jam.

General Motors is Cruise’s majority owner, and Waymo is owned by Alphabet, parent company of Google.

DIG DEEPER: Consumers Favor Automated Safety Over Self-Driving Tech

 

 

More Dealer Ops

Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 26, 2025

Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half

A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.

Read More →
SalesAugust 25, 2025

How to Build a High-Performance Sales and F&I Team

Performance and profits start with people chosen and led the right way.

Read More →
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2025

Buy-Sells Up in Q2

Kerrigan metrics show there’s plenty of demand, though many sellers are waiting to pull the trigger.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
F&Iby StaffApril 2, 2025

DOWC Powers the Future of F&I for NESNA

Company is providing a fully integrated F&I administration model to Nissan Extended Services North America’s dealer network.

Read More →
Industryby StaffMarch 26, 2025

March New-Vehicle Sales Healthy

Despite incentive spending not keeping pace with deliveries volume, consumers make their purchases ahead of tariffs impact.

Read More →
Product & Technologyby StaffMarch 13, 2025

New DOWC Program Debuts

Hybrid solution combines benefits of reinsurance and dealer-owned warranty companies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dealer OpsJanuary 15, 2025

Carryover Rate Important for Auto Retailers

Understanding how it plays into inventory risk management is an important consideration.

Read More →
Trainingby StaffJanuary 13, 2025

Dealer Survey Finds Anxieties

Kerrigan Advisors poll shows percentage of retailers expecting lower profits, valuations is on the rise.

Read More →
Industryby StaffDecember 23, 2024

Calif. Dealer Group Challenges Scout Direct Sales

Says VW unit’s plans to sell directly to consumers violate state law.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
IndustryNovember 27, 2024

Six Powerful Questions

Take the time to answer these and lay the groundwork for a successful year-end.

Read More →