Ahead of Protests, Waymo Scales Back Robotaxi Service Nationwide

Passengers ride in an electric Jaguar I-Pace car outfitted with Waymo full self-driving technology in Santa Monica, California.Photograph: Allen J. Schaben/Getty Images

Waymo will temporarily limit robotaxi service in all of its nationwide markets, the company said Friday, as US cities prepare for a wave of protests of federal immigration policies and law enforcement and military crackdowns on demonstrators. The Alphabet subsidiary will stop service in Los Angeles altogether.

Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp confirmed the service pause and adjustments but declined to comment further. There is no indication how long the service changes will last.

The adjustments will affect service in San Francisco; Austin, Texas; and Atlanta, Georgia. On Friday afternoon, some San Francisco riders saw in-app messages showing that all of the company ...