Autonomous vehicle company Waymo granted permission for robotaxi operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
In a significant development for the autonomous vehicle industry, Waymo and Tesla are set to deploy their autonomous ride-hailing services at Bay Area airports.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has been given approval to begin deploying its autonomous ride-hailing service at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Discussions with Oakland International Airport are also ongoing for Waymo. In the final phase, paying customers will be able to request rides through the company's app.
The deployment will occur in three distinct phases, each designed to ensure safety. In the first phase, Waymo vehicles will operate with a safety driver but without passengers. In the second phase, the vehicles will operate driverless, but only for Waymo employees and airport staff. Riders will need to take the AirTrain to reach their terminals, and initially, passenger pickups and drop-offs will be limited to the 'Kiss and Fly' area near the rental car center at SFO.
Weekly check-ins between Waymo and airport officials will determine how quickly the company advances through each phase. Waymo has suggested that other pickup points may be explored in the future. The company has been operating at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for nearly three years. However, no specific timelines for the deployment have been announced.
Meanwhile, Tesla is seeking approval for its service at SFO, San Jose Mineta International Airport, and Oakland Airport. Tesla's autonomous ride-hailing service, if approved, would operate similarly to Waymo's, with passengers being transported to and from the AirTrain and the 'Kiss and Fly' area.
It's important to note that the names of the individuals who authorized the deployment of Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service at SFO have not been disclosed.
As the technology advances and regulatory approvals are secured, the Bay Area airports could become a testing ground for autonomous vehicles, revolutionising transportation for both passengers and airport staff. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development.
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