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Waymo will start testing its autonomous cars in New York again
After a previous excursion focused on navigating city traffic and dealing with harsh weather conditions, Waymo is set to return to the Big Apple once more. The company announced today that it will be conducting testing of its autonomous vehicles in New York City next month.
The initial trip was geared towards familiarizing themselves with the unique challenges posed by the urban environment, including icy and snowy weather. However, this latest endeavor takes a different approach as Waymo aims to offer its full autonomous ride-hailing service in the city.
Despite the state law prohibiting the operation of vehicles without human drivers, Waymo is seeking approval for a permit from the New York Department of Transportation to operate autonomously with a trained specialist behind the wheel. If approved, this would mark the first-ever “testing deployment” of autonomous vehicles in New York City.
The move marks another step forward for Waymo as it continues to expand its services across various cities. The company recently expanded its service area around San Francisco and Los Angeles, and has also partnered with Uber to bring its self-driving system to Austin in March. Additionally, plans are underway to either offer paid rides or test the technology in several other cities over the next year.
This new development highlights a major hurdle for Waymo as it seeks to launch its autonomous ride-hailing service in New York City – obtaining state and city approval.
Source: www.engadget.com
