Robotaxis Can Now Collect Cash Money From Passengers In California

More than a dozen companies have long been approved to test out self-driving cars in California. Now, they can also charge passengers if they launch a robotaxi service. On Thursday, November 19, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved both the ability to launch robotaxi services and charge for them after many months of these companies -- such as Cruise, Waymo, Aurora Innovation, Pony.ai, and Zoox -- lobbying for such policies. Of course, the companies still have to jump through various stacks of paperwork in order to be granted such approvals, but all in time. Waymo has been operating such a service in Arizona, Waymo One, for more than a year.