Waymo clears path to Napa Valley |
The regulatory hurdles are gone. Now it's just a matter of when self-driving cars start picking up passengers here. |
Waymo just cleared its last regulatory hurdle standing between the company and giving rides in Napa Valley.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a major expansion of Waymo's driverless passenger service on Friday, adding 18 counties to the company's authorized territory, Napa among them. Combined with an earlier DMV approval covering Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Yountville, Waymo now has everything it legally needs to operate and charge for rides in the area.
The two approvals cover different things - the DMV decides whether autonomous vehicles can operate on public roads at all, while the CPUC decides whether a company can charge the public for rides in them. With both now in hand, the one thing Waymo doesn't have is a launch date.
Locally, the response has been preparation, not rollout. The American Canyon Fire Protection District already got ahead of things, hosting a hands-on training session with Waymo on July 22 so local fire and police crews would know how to handle the vehicles in an emergency, including how to get a deactivated car off the road. American Canyon's acting fire chief, Cliff Campbell, said Waymo has told local officials it usually gives at least a six-month notice before launching in a new area - though that window could stretch from a few weeks to a couple of years.
Napa County officials, for their part, say Waymo hasn't reached out to the county directly, and that regulatory authority over the company rests with the state. Waymo itself has been similarly noncommittal, with a company spokesperson telling the Napa Valley Register there are no immediate plans to expand into Napa County despite the new approvals.
Not everyone is waiting passively. Bobby Puri, director of operations at Napa's True Elegance Transportation, a shuttle and limousine company that ferries visitors through wine country, says his company has already been preparing for the eventual arrival of autonomous vehicles.
Put together, the picture is a company with full regulatory clearance and no public timeline, and a community caught between real preparation and real uncertainty about when - or whether - a driverless car actually shows up on Napa Valley's streets. |
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Waymo is a great option- I've used it in SF. BUT... where are these going to be charged because they are LOUD in thier charging "homes"!!
Thanks for sharing your experience with Waymo in SF! Charging infrastructure is an important aspect, and while the article doesn't detail the locations, Waymo typically aims to minimize noise impact when setting up their charging facilities.
I know someone who tested Waymo and said it was smooth. Maybe Napa will be next soon enough.
Some people say driverless cars will reduce accidents. I guess time will tell if Napa drivers feel safer with them on the road.
Fred K.I'm curious too. Napa drivers can be a bit unpredictable, so it'll be interesting to see how everyone adapts.
It’s strange that Waymo got approval but has no public timeline. Feels like they're stalling.
Nina C.I get that feeling too. Maybe they’re waiting on more testing or figuring out logistics before committing to a date.
I’m just glad the DMV and CPUC are making sure everything is legal and safe before we all jump in driverless cars.
Hope these driverless cars don’t create more traffic jams. We already have enough!
I’m curious how locals will react once these cars hit the streets around here.
Hope Waymo offers affordable rides when they start here. That could really help commuters and tourists alike.
True Elegance Transportation prepping early makes sense. They probably want to stay competitive.
The whole six-month notice thing is kind of funny. What if something changes and launch gets pushed back? We could wait years.
Hannah D.Exactly! That uncertainty is tough for the community and businesses waiting on their plans.
If Waymo really gives 6 months notice before launch, I hope they notify the public soon!
I live in American Canyon and noticed the fire department was already trained on these cars. Shows they’re serious about safety.
Kyle M.Totally agree. Seeing the fire dept take it seriously makes me feel a bit more confident about these cars arriving safely.
No launch date means they’re probably still testing or working out kinks. Good for safety, but frustrating for us locals.
I wonder if local taxi and shuttle services like True Elegance will survive once the driverless cars start running.
Omar J.Same here. I hope they find a way to coexist or maybe even partner up rather than compete directly.
I’ve never been in a driverless car. I want to try Napa’s Waymo service, but it’s kind of scary too.
I get why they won’t say when the launch is. They need to be sure everything’s perfect.
Oliver W.Makes sense. You’d want to have everything fully tested before rolling out something so new in a busy area.
It’s cool Napa is on the list. Hopefully it brings more tourism and less pollution.
Jenny F.Absolutely, if it helps cut down on cars and pollution, that would be a win for Napa’s environment and visitors.
Given the approvals are done, why the wait? Seems like a missed opportunity for Napa to be a leader in this tech.
I think it’s smart for True Elegance Transportation to prep for autonomous vehicles. Better to be ahead than caught off guard.
The tech sounds promising but I’m skeptical until I see how it works in real-life Napa traffic.
I’ve never been in a driverless car. Would it feel weird to not see a driver?
Will Waymo cars actually be able to navigate narrow vineyard roads and busy tourist spots? Wondering about that.
American Canyon’s quick to prepare. Maybe other counties should follow their example.
Love that the local fire department is proactive. Fire and police knowing how to handle these cars is crucial.
It’s interesting Napa officials haven’t been contacted directly. They should be involved more.
Sophie B.Right? Seems like local officials should have a seat at the table, especially for community concerns and planning.
State regulators need to keep a close eye on these companies. Safety should always come first.
I’m all for tech progress but not sold on driverless cars taking over just yet. Give me a human driver any day.
I ride a lot for work and if driverless options come through, it might help cut down on late-night wait times. I’m cautiously hopeful.
Interesting that Napa County hasn’t heard directly from Waymo. You’d think they’d want local officials in the loop before launching.
DerekWRight? You'd think they'd want to build some trust and cooperation with local officials before starting up.
I’d try a Waymo ride if it was safe. But I want to be sure they won’t cause accidents first.
Honestly, I’m curious how safe these driverless cars really are on our country roads. Vineyards and tourists everywhere, could get tricky.
Carla M.That's a valid concern. The mix of rural roads and heavy tourist traffic could pose unique challenges for autonomous vehicles.
Local taxi drivers must be worried about losing business. Competition is coming fast.
No launch date yet? Sounds like they’re taking their time to get it right, which I appreciate.
Maria G.Better safe than sorry. I’d rather they launch later but with a smooth, safe experience than rush it.
I wonder how these self-driving cars will handle the winding roads in Napa, especially with tourists.
James K.Yeah, those curves can be tricky even for experienced drivers. I hope Waymo’s tech can handle the challenge safely.
It’s good they trained emergency crews early. Driverless cars must be handled carefully.
Alice M.Totally agree. First responders need to know exactly what to do. It’s good they’re not waiting until the cars are actually here.
No launch date but already training for emergencies? Waymo’s being patient, but I wish they’d just pick a date and stick to it.
It's good they are preparing emergency crews ahead of time. Definitely reassuring to know someone knows what to do if something goes wrong.
Jess T.Yeah, having emergency crews prepared definitely makes me feel more comfortable with the idea of self-driving cars around here.