Self-driving technology giant, Waymo, have announced on their blog that they have just become the first Autonomous vehicle developer to gain permission to test drive its driverless technology in California. This will include cities such as Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and its home town, Mountain View



This is following on from Waymos success in driverless taxi testing in Arizona that has been going on for a long time and many millions of miles, where it has recently even started collecting fares for autonomous rides in Phoenix.

The new Californian permit allows vehicle testing on public roads and no test driver will need to be present. Although many companies are testing on public roads in different USA states, this lack of a requirement for no human overseer is a first.

This may be seen as huge confidence in Waymo technology and safety measures, but there is a curious conflict, or twist in the tail - A recent California assembly Bill number 87, gives police and other law enforcement officers the power to impound unpermitted autonomous vehicles, including those without drivers present in the cars!

Further reading:
Waymo - Autonomous ride hailing is now open for business
Ridecell Autonomous Vehicles Drive onto Public Roads
Addison Lee plans self-driving taxis by 2021