Welcome to the Tech Mem Ride Home for Friday, August 11th, 2023. I'm Brian McCullough today.

A major regulatory breakthrough is going to open the floodgates for self-driving taxis in California.

Two different stories about dealing with the China restrictions, including one U.S. company

that is directly benefiting, and Meta's A.R. ambitions, which decidedly are not. And of course the weekend long rate

suggestions. Here's what you missed today in the world of tech.

I've been following something for a couple of weeks but didn't want to tell you about it until it actually happened and it has happened after a contentious six hour public hearing.

The California Public Utilities Commission has agreed to let Weimo public So, quoting the verge, the California Public Utilities Commission,

CPUC, voted three to one in favor of allowing the two companies

to operate their vehicles at any hour of the day throughout the city of San Francisco while

charging for rides. Today is the first of many steps in bringing A.V.

Transportation Services to California and CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds said at the end of the hearing.

Reynolds, a former general counsel at GM-backed Cruz, had recused himself from previous

votes but said the passage of time allowed him to vote on today's resolution.

The commissioners urged the companies to address problems raised by San Francisco officials

and residents about A.V. blocking roads, causing traffic jams jams and impeding emergency vehicles.

If there are further reports of incidents, the CPUC could vote to limit the number of vehicles allowed on the road or revoke the company's permits altogether,

Commissioner Darcy Hauk said.

A broad range of opinions have been presented to us

by the public regarding the resolutions before us today.

Hauk added, I do not take this decision lightly, end quote.

Currently, the companies only offer limited service.

The vote in favor of the companies essentially gives robot taxis full access

...