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
Missing teen surfer found alive on remote island miles from shore: 'Didn't give up hope'

Teen Surfer Rescued Alive on Remote Island After Being Missing: ‘Never Lost Hope’

A surfer who disappeared after heading into the ocean on Wednesday afternoon…
Hamas working to 'sabotage' Trump-backed aid group with 'fake news': Israeli official

As US-supported group provides 70 million meals, UN and NGOs work to undermine competing Gaza aid organization

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), supported by the U.S. and Israel, has…
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a mourning ceremony.

Iran’s Elderly and Fearful Ayatollah’s Grip Weakens – Former Ambassador Predicts Imminent Collapse

IRAN’S merciless regime is “fully on its heels” – leaving the Ayatollah’s…
Child predator among more than 300 nabbed in cannabis farm ICE raid, largest of Trump's second term

Over 300 Arrested, Including Child Predator, in Major ICE Cannabis Farm Raid During Trump’s Second Term

Federal authorities have announced that over 300 undocumented individuals were detained on…
‘Peacemaker’ Trump can end Africa’s biggest war, former White House advisor says

Former White House Advisor Claims Trump Can Resolve Africa’s Largest Conflict

Following the recent success in resolving a conflict within Africa, President Donald…
A man placing a USB drive into a bicycle's seat post.

Russian Spy Suspected of Hiding USB Drive in Bike Seat to Leak Grant Shapps’s Confidential Information

This is the incident where a man, suspected of being a Russian…
Osprey came back from the brink once. Now chicks are dying in nests, and some blame overfishing

Osprey Populations Once Recovered, But Now Nestling Deaths Are Rising—Is Overfishing the Culprit?

In GLOUCESTER POINT, Va. (AP) — Standing on an aging wooden duck…
Leeds man facing child sexual abuse material charges

Leeds Resident Charged with Offenses Related to Child Sexual Abuse Material

LEEDS, Ala. (WIAT) — A Leeds man is facing child sexual abuse…
Unhealthy smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the Upper Midwest when people want to be outside

Canadian Wildfire Smoke Covers Upper Midwest, Dampening Outdoor Plans

Much of the Upper Midwest faced extensive areas of poor air quality…
Multiple people struck by lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Several People Injured by Lightning at St. Augustine Pier: SJCFR

Fire rescue crews say one person was flown by helicopter with serious…
Parents face possible arrest, steep fines in military town's tough new approach to combat youth crime

Military Town Implements Strict Measures to Tackle Youth Crime, Including Potential Arrests and Fines for Parents

To curb rising youth violence, city leaders in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are…
Iliamna Volcano in Alaska 'rumbling' after being inactive for a century

Alaska’s Iliamna Volcano Shows Signs of Activity After 100 Years of Dormancy

(NewsNation) — A volcano in Alaska that last erupted in 1867 is…