Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has been granted a temporary permit to map the roadways of San Francisco International Airport (SFO), marking a significant milestone in its bid to launch a commercial robotaxi service at the airport.

The permit, announced by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on Monday, allows Waymo to manually drive its vehicles to map the area, but does not permit autonomous operation at this stage. This initial phase is expected to be followed by autonomous testing with a human safety operator, driverless testing, and eventually commercial operations.

The permit is a turnaround for Waymo, which had previously failed to secure a permit to map SFO in 2023. The agreement comes with certain conditions, including data sharing and job protection provisions. According to the agreement viewed by TechCrunch, Waymo is required to provide specific data after each mapping session per vehicle, including details such as time, geographic location, and vehicle license plate number.

The data sharing agreement is seen as a crucial aspect of the permit, as it will provide the city and airport authorities with valuable insights into Waymo's operations. Additionally, the agreement prohibits Waymo from using autonomous vehicles to move commercial goods, a provision that has been welcomed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which had raised concerns about the potential impact on jobs.

Peter Finn, Teamsters Western Region vice president, praised Mayor Lurie for his leadership in bringing the parties together, stating that the agreement sets a template for the responsible implementation of new technology that takes into account the impact on safety, jobs, and the community.

Waymo has been working to gain access to pickups and drop-offs at SFO for over a year, and this permit marks a significant step forward in its efforts. While the approval process is lengthy and requires separate approval from the San Francisco Airport Commission, the company is expected to eventually need a ground transportation permit to operate at SFO, which has yet to be approved.

The development has significant implications for the future of transportation at SFO, with Waymo's robotaxi service potentially providing a convenient and efficient option for the millions of passengers who travel to and from the airport each year. As the company continues to push forward with its phased approach, it remains to be seen how this new technology will shape the transportation landscape at SFO and beyond.