KQED's Forum Waymos – Both Popular and Polarizing – Expand to San Jose and Bay Area Highways
Nov 13, 2025
Raya Jetta, a tech culture reporter specialized in robo-taxis, joins forces with Billy Riggs, a professor focusing on autonomous vehicle policy, and Jackie Fielder, a San Francisco Supervisor advocating for community control. They delve into Waymo's expansion into San Jose and the mixed community reactions. They discuss the implications of local vs. state regulation, the potential impacts on labor markets, and the ongoing competition in the autonomous vehicle space. The conversation highlights broader questions about safety, privacy, and the future of urban mobility.
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Decades Of Testing Built Waymo's Edge
- Waymo accumulated decades of testing and tens of millions of miles to reach high autonomy reliability.
- That long runway and patient capital underpin its safety claims compared with human drivers.
Supervisor Fielder's Local Control Push
- Supervisor Jackie Fielder pushed a resolution for county-level votes on allowing autonomous vehicles.
- She cited concerns about congestion, public-transit displacement, and unchecked data collection by companies.
Public Opinion Has Shifted Toward Waymo
- Public sentiment toward robo-taxis shifted quickly; Grow SF polling shows support climbed to ~67%.
- Many supporters cite perceived safety advantages over human drivers and rideshares.