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
Fernandina Beach family pushes for intersection safety after multiple crashes

Fernandina Beach Residents Demand Urgent Intersection Safety Measures Following Frequent Accidents

A family in Fernandina Beach is calling for crucial safety enhancements at…
Chicago teacher accused of mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination portrayed as victim by school principal

Chicago Educator Allegedly Mocks Charlie Kirk Assassination, School Principal Defends Her Actions

The principal of a Chicago elementary school appeared to frame a controversial…
Bernie-Endorsed Maine Senate Candidate's Campaign Implodes As Dems in Disarray Hits Fever Pitch

Maine Democrats Face Backlash Over Controversial Policies: A Step Too Far?

In a surprising twist from Maine, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner…
A timeline of US attacks off South America and what Congress has had to say

Exploring the Chronology of U.S. Military Actions off South America: Congressional Insights and Reactions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the past two months, President Donald Trump and…
Baby humpback whale meets tragic end off New Jersey coast in suspected propeller strike

Tragic Loss: Young Humpback Whale Falls Victim to Suspected Propeller Accident off New Jersey Coast

A young humpback whale, found stranded near Long Beach Island, New Jersey,…
ABC's 'World News Tonight' anchor David Muir honored by Temple University

ABC’s David Muir Receives Prestigious Honor from Temple University for Excellence in Journalism

PHILADELPHIA — Temple University recently hosted a celebration honoring outstanding achievements in…
Trucking company owned by illegal immigrant raked in money from taxpayers before fatal crash: records

Records Reveal Taxpayer-Funded Earnings of Immigrant-Owned Trucking Firm Prior to Fatal Accident

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: Records reveal that an undocumented immigrant in Indiana, recently…
Former St. Johns fire chief wins lawsuit

Ex-St. Johns Fire Chief Triumphs in Landmark Legal Victory: What This Means for Firefighting Leadership

St. Johns County has agreed to a $500,000 settlement with its former…
4 family members of Illinois governor candidate killed in Montana helicopter crash, campaign says

Tragedy Strikes: Four Relatives of Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Perish in Montana Helicopter Crash, Campaign Reports

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A tragic helicopter crash in Montana has claimed…
California police officer struck and killed by car while stopping to help driver

Tragic Loss: California Officer Fatally Struck While Heroically Assisting Stranded Driver

The La Mesa Police Department is grieving the loss of one of…
Former mayor stabbed outside blue state business, suspect with multiple arrests charged

Ex-Mayor Stabbed Outside Business in Blue State: Repeat Offender Charged in High-Profile Incident

A former Massachusetts mayor sustained injuries from a stabbing incident outside his…
No CTA trains will run on Chicago Loop elevated rails this weekend for track work, including Brown, Green, Orange and Pink lines

Chicago Loop Train Shutdown: No CTA Service on Brown, Green, Orange, and Pink Lines This Weekend Due to Track Maintenance

Attention, commuters! This weekend, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced a…