Waymo Robotaxis Start SFO Pickups, Amid Safety Probe

As San Francisco prepares for the Super Bowl, a new transportation option has quietly rolled onto the tarmac. Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has started offering driverless rides to and from San Francisco International Airport. The service launched Thursday, though with initial restrictions. Only a limited group of approved riders can currently use it, and operations are confined to the airport's Rental Car Center. The company plans to include more passengers and expand to terminal areas in the months ahead.

This makes SFO the third major California airport in Waymo's network, following launches in Phoenix and San Jose. The Bay Area service now covers over 260 square miles. The airport expansion arrives as the company faces renewed scrutiny. On Wednesday, Waymo disclosed that one of its vehicles struck a child in Santa Monica last month. The child received minor injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the January 23 incident. The development highlights the complex reality of autonomous vehicles: their gradual integration into daily life continues, even as safety questions persist.