Self-driving cars begin testing on NYC streets

Summary

Waymo has received New York City’s first permit to test self-driving cars with safety drivers. Photo by Getty Images/JasonDoiy Self-driving cars will soon be rolling through the streets of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn under the watch of a trained driver, but the rollout has met resistance from unions who are concerned about street safety, emergency access, and future job losses. Mayor Eric Adams and city transportation officials announced Thursday that Waymo has received New York City’s first-ever permit to test autonomous vehicles under what officials called the nation’s toughest safety rules. The permit allows the company to operate up to eight vehicles until late September, after which it can apply for an extension to its testing period. As part of the pilot program, autonomous vehicles in the city must always have a “trained safety driver” behind the wheel, ready to take control if needed. The program is also limited in scope, as Waymo is not allowed to offer rides for hire due to current Taxi and Limousine Commission regulations that prohibit driverless cars from operating commercially. Under city regulations adopted last year, companies testing autonomous vehicles also require close coordination with the Department of Transportation, regular safety reporting, and compliance with cybersecurity standards. City officials noted that Waymo had also obtained necessary permits from the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles to run the pilot program. “We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” Adams said in a statement. “New York City is proud to welcome Waymo to test this new technology in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we know this testing is only the first step in moving our city further into the 21st century.” Waymo, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has logged more than 10 million autonomous rides across five U.S. cities. Annabel Chang, Waymo’s head of U.S. state and loca...