News Summary

Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Google parent Alphabet, is set to resume testing its autonomous vehicles in New York City starting in July. The company aims to eventually offer a full autonomous ride-hailing service similar to those currently available in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. However, New York state law currently requires a human driver behind the wheel, presenting a challenge for Waymo. The company has applied for a permit with the New York Department of Transportation to operate vehicles autonomously with a trained specialist behind the wheel. If approved, this will mark the first testing deployment of autonomous vehicles in New York City. Waymo’s previous testing in the city focused on navigating complex traffic and adverse weather conditions. The expansion to New York is part of Waymo’s broader strategy, which recently included extending its service areas in San Francisco and Los Angeles and launching in Austin with Uber’s assistance.