Waymo plans self-driving vehicle test in NYC, eyes expansion
Share this @internewscast.com

Ride-hailing pioneer Waymo said it aims to bring a fleet of autonomous vehicles to New York City beginning next month.

Waymo, the company under Google parent Alphabet, announced on Wednesday that it has submitted a permit application with the city’s Department of Transportation. The goal is to test a “small fleet” of self-driving cars in Manhattan, each with a trained specialist onboard to monitor operations.

“This is not an expansion, but we intend to eventually introduce our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city,” Waymo said in a statement.

The company is advocating for a broader revision in New York state law, which would permit the operation of fully driverless vehicles without any human supervision inside the car.

It previously drove some of its vehicles through the densely-populated city for a few months in 2021, but these were fully operated by human drivers and used to map city streets.

Waymo currently operates 1,500 fully-electric, autonomous cars across San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Austin.

But New York City comes with its own unique set of challenges – like jaywalkers, cyclists who veer out of bike lanes, horse-drawn carriages, frequent construction work and zig-zagging taxi cabs.

It plans to drive vehicles manually throughout Manhattan, like it did in 2021, as it waits for permit approval.

The NYC Department of Transportation and Governor Kathy Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to The Post’s requests for comment.

Waymo has grown massively since its creation in 2009 as Google’s Self-Driving Car Project.

Now, it provides more than 250,000 fully autonomous paid trips each week across major US cities.

The service claims to make “roads safer” with fewer injury-causing crashes compared to an average human driver.

But operating vehicles without human drivers is not without its complications.

Most recently, Waymo was forced to halt its self-driving service in downtown Los Angeles after five of its vehicles were set ablaze during volatile anti-ICE protests.

Earlier in the year, it recalled nearly its entire fleet over a software glitch that could make the vehicles more likely to crash into chains, gates and other roadway barriers.

The vehicles have enraged California residents with incessant beeping, “trapped” passengers inside while screeching to a stop in the middle of a highway and been involved in nearly 20 crashes.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Russian general killed by car bomb, third senior military leader killed this year

Car Bomb Claims Life of Russian General, Marking Third Senior Military Leader’s Death This Year

In a tragic incident on Monday, a high-ranking Russian general lost his…
Greta Thunberg arrested in London while supporting hunger-striking pro-Palestinian activists

Greta Thunberg’s London Arrest: Championing Hunger-Striking Pro-Palestinian Activists

By DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Environmental activist Greta Thunberg…
Jonathan Quick playing better than last season and Rangers are wasting it

Jonathan Quick’s Stellar Comeback: Rangers Struggle to Capitalize on Elite Goaltending Performance

Jonathan Quick has significantly improved his goals-against average this season compared to…
Long Island man airlifted to hospital after fireworks go off in his lap

Shocking Fireworks Mishap: Long Island Man’s Close Call Leads to Emergency Airlift

A 65-year-old man from Long Island suffered a severe injury and needed…
Repeat offender allegedly kills Ohio man just days after nonprofit pays his bail

Ohio Tragedy: Repeat Offender’s Bail Release Ends in Fatal Consequence

In a troubling turn of events, an Ohio man with a history…
Trump holds an event with Rubio and Hegseth during vacation as tensions with Venezuela mount

Trump Hosts Event with Rubio and Hegseth Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump is convening a meeting…
Manhunt underway for 3 'dangerous' inmates who broke out of Georgia jail

Urgent Manhunt: Georgia Authorities Seek Three ‘Dangerous’ Inmates Following Jailbreak

In a startling development from the Atlanta area, authorities have revealed that…
Third Parkland school shooting survivor commits suicide,  7 years later

Tragic Loss: Third Parkland Shooting Survivor Dies by Suicide 7 Years After Tragedy

In a tragic turn of events, the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School…
What is Festivus? What to know about the holiday from 'Seinfeld' for the rest of us

Discover the Meaning Behind Festivus: The ‘Seinfeld’ Holiday Tradition Explained

Are you finding it hard to connect with the festive cheer this…
ECHL players are on the verge of a strike as CBA talks reach an impasse

Breaking News: ECHL Players Poised for Strike Amid Stalled CBA Negotiations

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) is teetering on the brink of…
Oklahoma teaching assistant fired after uproar over flunking Christian student who referenced Bible in essay

Oklahoma Educator Dismissed Amid Controversy Over Student’s Bible-Referenced Essay Grade

In the aftermath of a controversial incident where a University of Oklahoma…
Brown University police chief placed on leave after deadly shooting as Trump admin opens investigation

Brown University Police Chief Suspended Amid Investigation into Fatal Shooting Linked to Trump Administration

Brown University has placed its police chief on administrative leave following a…