San Francisco's Battle Against 24/7 Robotaxis: Protests and Sabotage

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is set to vote on whether to allow Cruise and Waymo, the main autonomous vehicle companies in San Francisco, to expand their paid ride-hailing services to operate 24/7. City officials have been urging the state to delay the vote, citing incidents where autonomous vehicles have caused traffic disruptions and obstructed emergency vehicles. The companies have defended themselves, stating that they are working with city officials to address concerns. However, some residents have expressed safety and privacy concerns, with an activist group calling for disabling robotaxis by placing traffic cones on their hoods. The vote represents a significant regulatory moment for autonomous vehicles in the US.