Waymo, the self-driving tech development unit of Alphabet, has announced plans to test driverless robotaxis along the Peninsula in San Francisco, California, starting with a pilot program for its employees.

The service will initially be available from San Francisco down to the border of San Mateo and Burlingame and will be limited to surface roads (it will not be available on highways).

The company plans to expand the service up to Sunnyvale in the future. 

Analyst QuickTake: Waymo's Peninsula pilot was foreseeable, with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approving service expansion beyond San Francisco in March 2024 . The company has also initiated driverless rides for employees in Austin, with plans to offer services to the public later. Last month, Waymo also initiated tests in Atlanta, Georgia, with plans to introduce its robotaxi services eventually. Waymo has a history of more cautious expansion but has also faced issues such as software recalls and accidents involving its vehicles.