California authorities have taken a significant stride in advancing driverless taxi services in San Francisco. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently voted three-to-one to approve Waymo, a unit of Google-parent Alphabet, and General Motors-owned Cruise to provide 24-hour robotaxi services in the city, putting them in direct competition with traditional ride-share services and taxis.

Following six hours of public commentary, CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds, who voted in favor of approval, stated, "Today is the first of many steps in bringing AV (autonomous vehicle) transportation services to Californians and setting a successful and transparent model for other states to follow."

Waymo, in particular, received clearance to operate its driverless cars at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour (105 kilometers per hour) even in certain adverse weather conditions. The company also gained permission to offer autonomous rides to paying passengers in its home city of Mountain View in Silicon Valley.

Cruise, on the other hand, was granted approval to run passenger services in San Francisco at speeds not exceeding 35 miles per hour and avoiding dense fog or heavy smoke. In the past, Cruise was only permitted to charge customers during specific hours of the day.

The journey towards driverless taxis in San Francisco began in 2014, initially with mandatory human "safety drivers." However, this requirement was eventually lifted in 2018. The CPUC session drew a range of opinions, with some expressing concerns about the safety of robotaxis while others praised their potential benefits, from enhancing road safety to addressing climate change.

While there have been instances of driverless cars causing disruptions on roads or interfering with emergency services, proponents of the technology emphasized its potential to empower individuals with disabilities, improve road safety, and reduce discrimination. On the other side of the spectrum, some participants advocated for a future focused on clean, convenient, and affordable public transit instead of cars.