Self-driving cars are making their way into the Santa Clarita Valley in Waymo’s effort to expand into other parts of Southern California.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Waymo was approved in new areas of operation for driverless testing and deployment, including the SCV.
“We appreciate the DMV’s approval of our expanded fully autonomous operations. We’re proud to serve over one million, safe, reliable magical rides every month in San Francisco and Los Angeles,” read a company statement provided by Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher on Tuesday. “We’re looking to open our services to more Californians.”
It was not immediately announced when residents will begin to spot the white-colored vehicles performing test drives in the SCV but they will be seen traveling in weather conditions including rain and fog, at all different kinds of speeds, according to the DMV.
The amended DMV permits allow Waymo to operate fully autonomously in the expanded territories with both its Jaguar and Zeekr base vehicle platforms, according to the Waymo spokesperson.
Among the Los Angeles County cities, test drives will also be performed in the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, La Cañada Flintridge and Glendale, among others.
Waymo became the first independent self-driving technology company under Alphabet, with a “mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to move around,” according to its website. “We aim to offer freedom of movement for all, create a sustainable, efficient transportation ecosystem, and make the planet better than we found it.”
