Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been granted the first permit to test autonomous vehicles in New York City. The company will start testing up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, with a human driver behind the wheel, as required by New York state law. Mayor Eric Adams welcomed the initiative, highlighting the city’s tech-friendly approach and the potential for innovation. This follows Waymo’s recent expansions in Austin and the San Francisco area, with plans to launch services in other major cities. The company aims to bring autonomous vehicles to Atlanta, Miami, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, marking a significant push into the Northeast market. Waymo’s CEO recently announced that the company has surpassed 10 million robotaxi trips. The New York City administration has set safety requirements and opened a permit program for responsible testing of autonomous vehicles. Waymo must regularly report data to the Department of Transportation and collaborate with law enforcement and emergency services as part of the permit conditions.
