Waymo, the autonomous taxi service that is already heavily used in the Bay Area, announced on Thursday that it is headed to Sacramento.The robotaxi allows passengers to hail a vehicle to take them to their destination, all while no one is in the driver’s seat. Yet it serves the same function as other rideshares.”As California’s capital and a growing center for progress, Sacramento’s spirit of innovation makes it the perfect next step for our expansion,” a news release from Waymo read. “We are eager to bring the future of mobility to this vibrant community, connecting its historic landmarks with its modern neighborhoods.”Waymo said starting this week, it will begin manually driving a fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles around Sacramento as part of its process of getting the vehicles acquainted with the city’s streets. The company said it is the same approach it has used for the six major cities it already operates in.According to the release, Waymo said it is working with state and city leaders as it expands to Sacramento.“As Sacramento grows, so does our need for safe, reliable transportation,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said in Waymo’s news release. “We’re excited to work with Waymo to expand mobility options that are designed with safety at their core. By offering new ways to move around the Capital City, we’re providing our residents with more choice while staying focused on our goal of making every street safer for everyone.”Waymo’s release said its expansion to Sacramento aligns with the city’s goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.The company is not without opposition, however. Recently, Lyft and Uber drivers in San Francisco have protested Waymo and urged for increased oversight of autonomous vehicles after recent situations where the robotaxis have killed pets and blocked traffic.According to the California DMV’s website, Waymo is approved for operation in other parts of the county. See a map and list of approved areas here.Those interested in receiving updates from Waymo can do so here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Waymo, the autonomous taxi service that is already heavily used in the Bay Area, announced on Thursday that it is headed to Sacramento.
The robotaxi allows passengers to hail a vehicle to take them to their destination, all while no one is in the driver’s seat. Yet it serves the same function as other rideshares.
“As California’s capital and a growing center for progress, Sacramento’s spirit of innovation makes it the perfect next step for our expansion,” a news release from Waymo read. “We are eager to bring the future of mobility to this vibrant community, connecting its historic landmarks with its modern neighborhoods.”
Waymo said starting this week, it will begin manually driving a fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles around Sacramento as part of its process of getting the vehicles acquainted with the city’s streets. The company said it is the same approach it has used for the six major cities it already operates in.
According to the release, Waymo said it is working with state and city leaders as it expands to Sacramento.
“As Sacramento grows, so does our need for safe, reliable transportation,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said in Waymo’s news release. “We’re excited to work with Waymo to expand mobility options that are designed with safety at their core. By offering new ways to move around the Capital City, we’re providing our residents with more choice while staying focused on our goal of making every street safer for everyone.”
Waymo’s release said its expansion to Sacramento aligns with the city’s goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
The company is not without opposition, however. Recently, Lyft and Uber drivers in San Francisco have protested Waymo and urged for increased oversight of autonomous vehicles after recent situations where the robotaxis have killed pets and blocked traffic.
According to the California DMV’s website, Waymo is approved for operation in other parts of the county. See a map and list of approved areas here.
Those interested in receiving updates from Waymo can do so here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel