Waymo Heads To New York City With Robotaxis In Tow

The move marks Waymo's return to the city—in 2021 it briefly conducted mapping operations in Manhattan. This time, the ride-share company will be collecting more detailed mapping data and performing initial tests, but with human drivers behind the wheel, the Wall Street Journal reports.

New York State law still prohibits fully driverless vehicles from operating on public roads without a person in the driver’s seat, a regulation Waymo is actively lobbying to change. While the lobbyists work, Waymo has applied for a permit with New York City that would allow its cars to drive autonomously under the supervision of a human in the driver’s seat.

If successful, Waymo’s autonomous platform would become the first to operate in Manhattan. While the city represents a highly attractive market due to its dense concentration of taxi and ride-hailing users, it's also the final boss of operational challenges. Waymo knows the city is complicated with its “bustling avenues, unusual road geometries, complex intersections, and constantly evolving layouts.”

Waymo’s expansion into New York would be the latest in a growing list of cities where its robotaxis are in active service. After launching in San Francisco, Waymo has gradually expanded operations across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta. The company now reports more than 250,000 autonomous rides per week—a massive leap from the roughly 10,000 it delivered weekly just two years ago. Additional markets, including Miami and Washington, D.C., are on the horizon.

But the rollout hasn’t been without setbacks. Last week, Waymo temporarily scaled back service in parts of Los Angeles and San Francisco following a series of vehicle fires during protests linked to federal immigration enforcement activity. Because its cars use lithium-ion battery packs, the fires proved difficult to extinguish.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.