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Hey followers! Today, we’re diving into some exciting news about Waymo trying to bring its self-driving taxis to the Big Apple.
Waymo has applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles in New York City, marking a significant step toward deploying its robotaxis in the city’s maze of streets. The permit, filed with NYC’s Department of Transportation, is a prerequisite for operating self-driving Jaguar I-Pace cars with a human safety driver behind the wheel in Manhattan.
However, New York’s tough regulations require a human driver to be ready to take control, along with a hefty $5 million insurance policy and proper training for operators. The city’s laws are quite strict, especially regarding autonomous vehicles, making it hard for companies like Waymo to test or run driverless services without human oversight.
Despite these hurdles, Waymo is pushing forward and is working to change laws that currently mandate drivers to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel. The company is also building good relationships with local organizations and lawmakers, hoping to pave the way for fully driverless vehicles someday.
Other tech giants, like Mobileye and Cruise, have tried similar tests in NYC before but have not successfully moved beyond demonstrations. The city’s complex environment — filled with cars, bikes, pedestrians, and everything in between — makes it a tough playground for autonomous tech, especially compared to other markets like San Francisco, where Waymo already operates.
Waymo’s long history in NYC includes deploying self-driving vehicles for mapping and testing, with plans to gradually bring more autonomous services to the city. The company’s ultimate goal is to navigate NYC’s hustle and bustle without a human driver at the wheel.
