Waymo has started rolling out its robataxi operations in Los Angeles as it continues to expand its services in the West Coast.
To commemorate its launching, Waymo on Thursday started offering free rides in select areas of the city.
(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
At least 50,000 residents reportedly signed up for the self-driving EV trip, according to its latest blog post.
Waymo's operations is expected to cover a 63 square mile area from Santa Monica to Downtown LA. The company said it will start rolling out paid services "in the coming weeks."
The Alphabet-owned EV start-up received California's regulatory approval earlier this March, almost seven months after it began expanding to the Golden State starting with San Francisco.
Ahead of its March 14 rollout, the Los Angeles Times earlier reported that several Waymo vehicles have already been spotted roaming the streets of LA.
Also Read: California Regulators Greenlight Waymo Robotaxi Expansion in LA, San Francisco
Safety Concerns Loom Over California Regulators' Waymo Operations Approval
Amid Waymo's successful expansion in California, residents and traditional taxi drivers are less enthusiastic about the venture.
Just last December, San Francisco residents reportedly vandalized and set a Waymo car on fire as tension between the people and the company increased.
San Francisco has earlier filed a lawsuit against the California Public Utilities Commission to overturn its ruling to allow Waymo and other driverless ride-hailing services in the city.
The litigation cited concerns about self-driving car services' safety measures to protect pedestrians from harm.
It can be remembered that Cruise, one of the approved self-driving services in the city, hit and dragged a pedestrian for 20 feet last year. Regulators have since indefinitely suspended Cruise's operation license.
Related Article: San Francisco Sues California Regulators for Allowing Self-Driving Cars in the City
Waymo Eyes to Further Expand Operations in Texas
Aside from California, Waymo has been noted to be seeking to further venture out with its business in Texas.
As of writing, its driverless cars are already operating 24/7 in metropolitan areas of Austin, covering over 40 square miles of the city.
