New York City commuters will soon have a chance to try out a new means of transportation.
Waymo received its first permit from the New York Department of Transportation to begin testing its autonomous cars in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Friday.
Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, will begin testing with eight cars in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. The initial testing will go through late September with the potential for Waymo to extend its pilot testing period.
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New York state law requires a trained autonomous vehicle specialist to sit behind the wheel at all times during operation.
“We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” Adams said in a release. “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. As we continue to implement responsible innovation, we will always prioritize street safety.”
Waymo is required to coordinate with the New York Department of Transportation through regular meetings and data reporting. The company must also certify that it is adhering to cybersecurity practices.
The Department of Transportation emphasized that its Waymo approval strictly relates to testing autonomous vehicle technology. New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rules prohibit the use of autonomous vehicles for for-hire service, and any company providing for-hire service must obtain a TLC license.
