San Francisco is about to get another futuristic transportation upgrade with Waymo’s newest autonomous vehicle service at San Francisco International Airport. Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that the airport has signed a testing and operations pilot permit, allowing self-driving cars to gradually roll out their innovative transportation solution.

The permit includes a three-phase testing approach designed to carefully integrate autonomous vehicles into airport operations. Initially, Waymo vehicles will operate on designated airport roads with trained specialists behind the wheel. As the program progresses, the cars will transition to fully autonomous mode, first serving SFO and Waymo employees before eventually opening commercial operations to all customers.

This development isn’t just about convenient transportation, it’s a strategic move positioning San Francisco as a global technology innovation hub. Waymo, which launched fully autonomous ride-hailing services in San Francisco in 2022, has been gradually expanding its autonomous vehicle footprint across major airports, including Phoenix and San Jose.

Safety remains a critical focus, with the permit agreement including strict safety and reporting requirements to evaluate performance. The project represents years of planning, with initial efforts dating back to 2023 and facing multiple regulatory hurdles.

Mayor Lurie emphasized the unique experience this service will provide, noting that tourists from around the world will soon have the opportunity to experience cutting-edge autonomous technology immediately upon landing in San Francisco. This initiative not only showcases the city’s technological prowess but also offers a glimpse into the future of urban transportation.

As autonomous vehicle technology continues to evolve, Waymo’s SFO project represents another significant step towards normalizing self-driving transportation. For Bay Area residents and visitors alike, this marks an exciting moment in the ongoing technological transformation of urban mobility.