San Francisco, CA – Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, has recently faced operational adjustments in San Francisco, including geofencing certain areas, amidst its continued expansion. This comes as a social media user, Robin, sought detailed information on Waymo's geofenced zones, noting, > "lol at how small Waymo is compared to Robotaxi." The request highlights public curiosity about the precise operational boundaries of robotaxis in the city.
The geofencing measures were implemented by Waymo in June 2025, primarily as a precautionary response to anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests that saw Waymo vehicles vandalized and set ablaze in Los Angeles. In San Francisco, Waymo preemptively limited service in areas like Market Street and around key BART stations, including Embarcadero and Montgomery Street, to ensure safety and prevent potential damage to its fleet. This decision followed isolated incidents of vandalism targeting Waymo vehicles within San Francisco during the same period.
Despite these localized operational adjustments, Waymo has significantly expanded its footprint in San Francisco. The company's robotaxi service now covers approximately 55 square miles across the city and parts of the Peninsula, including Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma. Waymo also removed its waitlist in June 2024, opening its 24/7 service to all users, and currently provides over 50,000 paid rides weekly across its three major markets.
The tweet's comparison of Waymo to a generic "Robotaxi" likely alludes to General Motors' Cruise, San Francisco's other major robotaxi operator. However, Cruise's operations in the city have been indefinitely suspended by California regulators since October 2023. This suspension followed a series of safety incidents, including a critical event where a pedestrian was dragged by a Cruise vehicle after being struck by another car, leading to regulatory findings of "unreasonable risk to public safety" and alleged misrepresentation of safety information.
The contrasting operational statuses of Waymo and Cruise underscore the volatile landscape of autonomous vehicle deployment in urban environments. While Waymo continues to scale its services and navigate public and regulatory challenges, Cruise remains sidelined, highlighting the significant hurdles and varying trajectories within the burgeoning robotaxi industry. The incident underscores the ongoing scrutiny and dynamic regulatory environment shaping the future of autonomous transportation.