Approval from regulators came despite objections from police and fire officials, activists and others.
Analysts say the decision could usher in a new era for driverless car services.
Analysts say the decision could usher in a new era for driverless car services.
Rival Cruise, a subsidiary of car giant General Motors – which has predicted the business could be generating $1bn (£787m) in annual revenue by 2025, described the moment as a “historic industry milestone”.
Driverless car services have been slow to live up to the promises of transforming transport that accompanied the start of their development more than a decade ago. They have been bogged down by technology glitches, safety fears and high-profile accidents involving vehicles.
The California Public Utilities Commission had twice postponed the vote and on Thursday heard more than six hours of testimony from the public, including supporters and critics. The board approved the expansion 3-1.
Critics raised concerns about safety records and claimed the cars often caused traffic incidents, by abruptly shutting down or failing to make way for emergency responders.
Analysts say the decision could usher in a new era for driverless car services.
Approval from regulators came despite objections from police and fire officials, activists and others.
Rival Cruise, a subsidiary of car giant General Motors – which has predicted the business could be generating $1bn (£787m) in annual revenue by 2025, described the moment as a “historic industry milestone”.
Analysts say the decision could usher in a new era for driverless car services.
Analysts say the decision could usher in a new era for driverless car services.
Rival Cruise, a subsidiary of car giant General Motors – which has predicted the business could be generating $1bn (£787m) in annual revenue by 2025, described the moment as a “historic industry milestone”.
Driverless car services have been slow to live up to the promises of transforming transport that accompanied the start of their development more than a decade ago. They have been bogged down by technology glitches, safety fears and high-profile accidents involving vehicles.
The California Public Utilities Commission had twice postponed the vote and on Thursday heard more than six hours of testimony from the public, including supporters and critics. The board approved the expansion 3-1.
Critics raised concerns about safety records and claimed the cars often caused traffic incidents, by abruptly shutting down or failing to make way for emergency responders.
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