Disruptive Robotaxis: San Francisco Sues Californian Regulator

San Francisco’s administration has long had reservations about autonomous cars testing in the city and operating commercial robotaxi services. However, the city has no power to prevent this, as the issuing of test licenses and commercial licenses lies with the state of California. Both the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Public Utility Commission (CPUC) are responsible for this.

The high point was six months ago, when the CPUC granted Cruise and Waymo commercial licenses. San Francisco and the local police and fire departments were unhappy with this, as they see the vehicles as a disruptive factor that would hinder traffic in the city by breaking down and behaving in unusual ways.

Now, as has only just become known, San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the CPUC and Waymo in December to ensure better regulation of robotaxi companies. San Francisco also wants more say in the granting of licenses.

The lawsuit essentially asks the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to review whether its August decision allowing Waymo to operate a paid cab service around the clock in the city was consistent with the law.

As evidence, the city and task forces have documented hundreds of incidents, as compiled in another list here. According to legal experts, attempting to take legal action could prove difficult. At least when you consider that the same safety standards are not applied with the same rigor to human drivers, and San Francisco is notorious for being a notoriously chaotic traffic city.

This article was also published in German.