Waymo’s self-driving cars have been providing lifts to Waymo employees in San Francisco since mid-2021, though always with a safety driver behind the wheel. Now the cars will start operating without a safety driver, though lifts will only be provided to employees.

Waymo hasn’t said when the first members of the public will be able to ride in one of its self-driving cars in San Francisco. Main rival Cruise also has self-driving cars without a safety driver operating on the city’s crowded roads, and Cruise in February started allowing members of the public to sign up for a ride, though the company hasn’t said when the first public ride will happen.