Waymo has become the first autonomous vehicle operator to secure a permit to test self-driving cars on the streets of New York City, the state’s department of transportation said in announcing the news.
The New York City Department of Motor Vehicles approved Waymo’s application, allowing the company to conduct limited testing of its autonomous vehicles within certain city zones.
The permit comes after years of regulatory negotiations and signals a potential shift toward broader deployment of driverless cars in applications such as ride-hailing and delivery services in the city’s complex traffic environment.
Waymo says it has completed over 10 million rides in 1,500 cars spread out across the United states, and the company has had high-profile self-driving car debuts in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin.
The move marks a significant milestone for the industry in the United States’ most densely populated urban environment and is a new salvo in the battle for dominance of the domestic driverless car market.
So what can Waymo do in NYC?
As part of its test program in NYC, the city mayor’s office said that Waymo will be allowed to test eight cars across Brooklyn and Manhattan, and must regularly check in with the Department of Transportation about data and safety.
“We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” Mayor Eric 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 is required to have a trained, specialist driver in the cars at all times.
Why does Waymo’s NYC permit matter?
Waymo’s permit is a landmark development for a sector that has faced skepticism from people who live and work where self-driving technology has been tested.
With the backing of five large American cities where it is testing its cars, Waymo’s NYC plan could help accelerate the pace of adoption in urban centers across the U.S., if it can show it is safe and easy to use.
With safety protocols and regulatory frameworks continuing to evolve nationwide, a seamless launch and test period would go a long way toward convincing local riders and regulators that driverless technology is safe, MSNBC reports.
The move is part of a broader trend of U.S. cities and states gradually opening their roads to autonomous vehicles, balancing safety concerns with the potential benefits of reduced traffic congestion and improved mobility options.