CPUC Expands Driverless Car Services in San Francisco Despite Safety Concerns
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has voted to expand driverless car services in San Francisco, despite concerns over safety and profitability. The move allows Waymo and Cruise to charge for all rides, operate around the clock, and increase their enterprise fleets.
The vote passed with a majority of 3 to 1, Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma dissenting. She had asked for a suspension, citing incomplete records and safety concerns. City departments reported over 250 incidents involving Waymo vehicles this year, with an injury rate 1.3 times higher than the national average.
Meanwhile, Cruise, which has yet to turn a profit in its 10-year existence, recorded a loss of over $1 billion in 2023 so far. Both companies have faced issues with their vehicles abruptly stopping, blocking traffic, and hindering emergency responders.
In positive news, a new application-specific system-on-chip (SoC) and software platform for autonomous vehicles has been developed by TIER IV and Axell Corporation. The new SoC is optimized to integrate with Autoware, reducing power consumption and improving efficiency.
With the CPUC's vote, Waymo and Cruise can now charge for all rides, operate 24/7, and increase their enterprise fleets in San Francisco. However, safety concerns remain, and both companies must address these issues to ensure the smooth operation of their driverless car services.
