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
Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be 'act of terrorism,' FBI says

FBI Investigates Austin Shooting That Claimed Three Lives as Possible Terrorism

The FBI has announced that a shooting spree in downtown Austin, Texas,…
Fix outdoor dining and protect the tip credit

Exploring the Future of Dining Sheds: Reclaiming Streets for Vehicular Use

Over half a decade has passed since the onset of the COVID-19…
9 people injured in mass shooting at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati

Breaking News: Cincinnati’s Riverfront Live Mass Shooting Leaves 9 Injured – Latest Updates and Investigation Details

A mass shooting at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Live music venue left nine people…
Texas bar shooting leaves multiple dead, injures up to 20 at Bufords Backyard Beer Garden

Tragic Texas Bar Shooting at Bufords Backyard Beer Garden: Multiple Fatalities and Up to 20 Injured

A tragic shooting at a Texas bar early Sunday morning resulted in…
Wealthy influencer sparks fury for tone-deaf comment on Dubai missile strikes

Controversial Comment: Influencer Faces Backlash Over Insensitive Remarks on Dubai Missile Strikes

An Australian influencer residing in Dubai recently faced backlash over a “selfish”…
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's ex-president, killed in Israeli airstrikes

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Reportedly Killed in Israeli Airstrikes

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former president of Iran known for his hardline stance…
Trump reveals US destroyed 9 'important' Iranian naval ships

Trump Unveils U.S. Naval Triumph: 9 Key Iranian Ships Obliterated

On Sunday, President Trump made a bold announcement regarding recent military actions…
Mike Waltz turns tables on Iranian envoy at heated UN meeting

Mike Waltz Stuns UN with Bold Confrontation Against Iranian Envoy

During a United Nations Security Council session on Sunday, tensions flared as…
Iran's soccer federation head doubts country will play in 2026 World Cup after US-Israeli strikes

Iran’s Soccer Federation Chief Expresses Uncertainty Over 2026 World Cup Participation Following US-Israeli Strikes

In light of recent geopolitical tensions, Iran’s soccer federation president has expressed…
Trapped hot air balloon passengers saved in heart-stopping rescue at nearly 1,000 feet above ground

Dramatic High-Altitude Balloon Rescue: Passengers Safely Retrieved from 1,000 Feet Up

In a dramatic rescue operation, two individuals were saved after their hot…
GOP Rep Mast says US military objective in Iran is to ‘eliminate’ threat to Americans

Congressman Mast Calls for U.S. Military Action to Neutralize Threats in Iran

In a recent discussion with Fox News Digital, Representative Brian Mast of…