Waymo gets regulatory approval to expand across Bay Area and Southern California

Core Insights - Waymo has received authorization to operate fully autonomously in a larger area of California, expanding its reach significantly [1][2] - The company plans to welcome riders in San Diego by mid-2026, with intentions to launch in multiple other cities as well [3] - Recent announcements indicate Waymo's expansion into new markets, including Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Tampa, while also removing safety drivers in Miami [4] Summary by Sections Expansion of Operations - Waymo is now authorized to operate in most of the East Bay, North Bay, and Sacramento in Northern California, and from Santa Clarita to San Diego in Southern California [2] - The company has plans to expand its services to additional cities, including Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, San Antonio, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. [3] Future Plans - Waymo aims to start offering rides in San Diego by mid-2026, although specific timelines for other regions remain unclear [3] - The company is also preparing to provide rides that utilize freeways in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix [4] Industry Context - As Waymo expands its operational territory, there are discussions about the potential for increased usage of robotaxis, which may lead to new patterns of behavior among users [6]