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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Waymo has been approved for a temporary access agreement at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to begin mapping of airport roadways, announced Mayor Daniel Lurie on Monday. The Mountain View-based company offers self-driving car rides.
The permit, which is good for 30 days, requires a human to be behind the wheel of mapping vehicles at all times. Only two mapping vehicles are allowed to operate at a time, and they cannot hold public passengers.
“This agreement is another example of how San Francisco is driving innovation while supporting our economic recovery,” said Mayor Lurie in a news release. “By working to expand transportation options to and from SFO, we’re continuing to make it easier for tourists and business travelers to experience our city, strengthen our economy, and welcome the world back to San Francisco.”
The temporary agreement started March 14 and lasts through April 13 with an option for SFO to extend the term for another 30 days. There has not been a decision made on Waymo passenger services, but this trial mapping process will help shape future plans. In the agreement, Waymo will use SFO’s current geofence to inform vehicle tracking data.
“We’re proud of the tens of thousands of trips Waymo One provides each week to residents and visitors in San Francisco,” said Nicole Gavel, head of business development and strategic partnerships at Waymo. “We’re pleased to play a part in showing the world that the future starts here in San Francisco.”
In a separate announcement, Waymo said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that it was approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) to “operate fully autonomously in expanded South Bay areas, including almost all of San Jose!” The public does not have access to the services at this time, but Waymo is working with local officials “to safely expand driving operations.”