Waymo to begin testing driverless taxis with safety drivers on New York City streets soon.

Waymo, the autonomous taxi company, has announced plans to initiate testing of its driverless technology on the streets of New York City, as part of a broader initiative to advocate for legislative changes that would permit its robotaxis to operate in the metropolis. The announcement, made on Wednesday, signifies Waymo’s intent to expand its services into one of the nation’s most complex urban environments.

Beginning next month, residents of New York City may notice vehicles equipped with advanced remote sensor systems known as LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging. These vehicles, however, will not be fully autonomous during this testing phase. According to Waymo and city officials, a human operator will be present to control the vehicle, ensuring safety during initial trials.

In conjunction with these plans, Waymo has submitted a permit application to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the administration’s autonomous vehicle permit program. This program, established under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, is a critical step towards enabling the semi-autonomous operation of vehicles in New York. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office confirmed that the DOT is currently reviewing this application, which signifies the first submission for autonomous vehicle testing under the new regulatory framework.

New York State law currently prohibits fully automated vehicles from operating without a human driver present, a regulation that limits the extent of the driverless services offered by Waymo in cities like San Francisco. In a bid to change this legal landscape, Waymo is actively lobbying for amendments to state legislation. An ongoing proposal is being considered by the transportation committee of the New York State Senate, although progress has stalled in the Assembly.

Public safety remains a paramount concern as city officials, including representatives from the DOT and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, emphasize the importance of maintaining stringent regulations on autonomous vehicle technology. Critics of Waymo’s initiative, including B’hairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, have expressed their apprehension, suggesting that the technology is unprepared for the challenges presented by New York City streets. Desai characterized the drive toward autonomous vehicle operations as a last-minute effort by the current administration, questioning the service’s capability to match that of traditional drivers.

As Waymo moves forward with its testing plans and advocacy for regulatory change, the implications of autonomous vehicles on the urban landscape and the transport workforce will remain a topic of intense scrutiny and debate. The outcome of these initiatives will likely shape not only the future of transportation in New York City but also the state’s approach to autonomous technology as a whole.