Waymo Gains Approval for Robotaxi Testing at San Francisco International Airport
In a significant development for transportation in the Bay Area, Waymo has received a permit from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to initiate testing of its autonomous robotaxi service at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This announcement, made by the mayor’s office, marks an important milestone in the city’s efforts to enhance mobility options for residents and visitors.
Phased Rollout Plan
The implementation of the robotaxi service will occur in three distinct phases. Initially, the vehicles will be operated with a human driver on board. This will be followed by a phase where Waymo vehicles will be tested autonomously with only Waymo and airport staff as passengers. Finally, the service will open to the general public for commercial operations.
Mayor Lurie stated, “We announced in March that we wanted visitors to be able to ride in a Waymo as soon as they arrived in San Francisco, and today, we are taking another important step toward that goal.”
Background and Previous Approvals
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company), first received approval for digital mapping within the airport’s roadway infrastructure approximately six months ago. This groundwork laid the foundation for the commencement of their testing and operational phases.
Mike Nakornkhet, the airport’s director, expressed enthusiasm about the new service, stating, “The approval of this permit with Waymo provides passengers with a new and innovative option that delivers the dependability and ease travelers expect when coming through SFO, the gateway to San Francisco.”
Expanding Robotaxi Services
Waymo’s driverless vehicles have become increasingly common sights throughout San Francisco. Just last month, the city allowed these robotaxis, alongside selected rides from Uber and Lyft, to resume pickups and drop-offs on Market Street. This adjustment comes five years after the prohibition of private vehicles on this vital thoroughfare.
The company has also expanded its robotaxi services to other Bay Area locations, including parts of the Peninsula and South Bay.
Vision for the Future
Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, articulated the company’s broader vision, saying, “Bringing the Waymo experience to San Francisco International Airport is about more than just a ride—it’s about providing a safe, reliable, magical way for Bay Area residents and global visitors to connect with the places and people that matter most.”
Other Airports Considering Waymo Services
In an exciting turn of events, San Jose Mineta International Airport recently became the first airport in California to approve Waymo’s operations, with public service anticipated to commence later this year, following successful testing. Meanwhile, officials at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport are currently in discussions with both Tesla and Waymo regarding potential ride-hailing services, although formal meetings have yet to take place.
Testing Timeline Unclear
While the permit for testing at SFO has been granted, no specific timeline has been provided for when these trials will actually begin as officials continue to coordinate efforts with Waymo.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Testing with a human driver onboard |
| Phase 2 | Testing without a human driver with only Waymo employees |
| Phase 3 | Commercial operations open to the public |
