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>>Waymo’s Bold Expansion: California Grants Vast Autonomous Vehicle Zones Across the Bay Area and Southern California

Waymo’s Bold Expansion: California Grants Vast Autonomous Vehicle Zones Across the Bay Area and Southern California

crypthub

34 minutes ago

Regulatory Breakthrough

The California DMV has granted Waymo permission to test and deploy autonomous vehicles across a vastly larger portion of the state. This approval covers most of the East Bay, North Bay, Napa, Sacramento, and a corridor from Santa Clarita to San Diego. It marks one of the biggest regulatory wins for self‑driving technology in the U.S. The move signals rapid mainstream adoption of autonomous transport.

Expanded Coverage and Timeline

Waymo’s new operational zone builds on its existing fleets in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles, creating a near‑statewide network. The company must still obtain separate clearances before carrying fare‑paying riders in some areas. It plans to launch passenger service in San Diego by mid‑2026, with other regions to follow as approvals are secured. Safety drivers are being phased out as confidence in full autonomy grows.

Broader Industry Impact

California’s approval framework balances innovation with safety and is likely to become a model for other states and countries. The expansion will test Waymo’s robots in dense urban cores, suburban streets, rural wine‑country roads, and major highways. Success could accelerate similar authorizations nationwide and reshape how Californians travel. The data gathered will guide the next generation of autonomous vehicle technology.