Waymo Launches SFO Passenger Rides, But Not to Terminals
▼ Summary
– Waymo is launching a limited robotaxi service to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting with pickups and drop-offs at the Rental Car Center.
– This service rollout follows a signed permit and a three-phase plan, with Waymo now entering the commercial phase after completing testing with and without safety drivers.
– SFO is initially restricting service to the Rental Car Center to isolate the robotaxis from busy terminals, allowing for adjustments based on the pilot’s performance.
– Airport trips are a significant financial opportunity for robotaxis, representing an estimated 20% of human-driven ride-hail trips.
– The launch precedes major Bay Area events like the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, with officials hoping Waymo will reduce traffic congestion.
Waymo has officially begun offering its autonomous ride-hailing service for trips to and from San Francisco International Airport, marking a significant expansion for the company in the region. This initial launch is available to a select group of users, with plans to gradually open access to all riders in the coming months. The move follows the completion of a multi-phase testing agreement with airport officials, though the service will initially operate from a location separate from the main passenger terminals.
After extensive negotiations, Waymo secured a Testing and Operations Pilot Permit with SFO last September. The agreement outlined a three-stage rollout: testing with a safety driver, testing without a driver, and finally launching commercial passenger service. A spokesperson for the airport confirmed that Waymo has successfully progressed through the first two phases and is now entering this final commercial stage.
For now, passengers will not be picked up or dropped off directly at the airport terminals. Instead, all trips will be routed through the SFO Rental Car Center, which is connected to the terminals via the AirTrain people mover. Airport officials stated that beginning operations at this isolated location allows them to monitor the service’s integration away from the busiest curb areas, a strategy previously used at Phoenix’s airport. They emphasized that this cautious, phased approach provides flexibility to make adjustments based on the pilot program’s performance.
Airports represent a lucrative market for autonomous vehicles, with airport journeys estimated to make up roughly twenty percent of all traditional ride-hail trips. This launch is strategically timed ahead of several major events in the Bay Area, including the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup. Local authorities have expressed hope that visitors will opt for services like Waymo to help reduce traffic congestion and the demand for rental cars.
Waymo currently provides around-the-clock driverless rides in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, with Miami service recently beginning. Through a partnership with Uber, the service is also accessible in Atlanta and Austin. Prior to this SFO launch, the company only served two airports: Phoenix Sky Harbor and San Jose Mineta.
The path to this point involved considerable challenges, including rejected proposals and tense contract discussions between Waymo and airport management. Despite these hurdles, the company ultimately received approval to move forward, achieving a long-sought goal to operate at one of the nation’s busiest transportation hubs.
(Source: The Verge)
