The Ups and Downs of Self-Driving Taxis in San Francisco

San Francisco may become one of the first cities in the US to offer 24/7 driverless cab services, as the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) considers expanding Waymo and Cruise's operations. However, city leaders are expressing frustration and concern over the technology's safety and impact on traffic. The San Francisco Fire Department has reported 66 incidents involving driverless cars since May 2022, including blocking fire engines and disrupting emergency scenes. While Waymo and Cruise argue that their technology is safe and could lead to safer streets, city officials are urging the companies to improve their AI-operated machines before expanding the service.