New York City Mayor Eric Adams has granted a limited waiver to Waymo, allowing the company to test up to eight self-driving cars in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September 2025.
The permit requires Waymo to have a safety driver behind the wheel at all times during testing. The testing phase will prioritize street safety, and Waymo is required to report data to the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) through regular meetings.
Waymo has also obtained necessary permits from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. State law does not allow autonomous vehicles, but Mayor Adams’ administration is “tech-friendly” and open to innovative solutions.
The testing will be part of a broader effort to integrate new technologies into the city’s infrastructure. Waymo plans to continue refining its technology after the pilot testing period and may apply for an extension if necessary.
Note: The original text was unrelated to the topic of self-driving cars, so I removed that section to focus on the granted waiver for Waymo’s testing in NYC.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/waymo-begin-testing-self-driving-cars-manhattan-downtown-brooklyn-mayor-adams-nyc-dot-announce-approval/17613834