Waymo Begins Testing Autonomous Vehicles Manhattan Brooklyn

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has received permits from New York City and state authorities to begin testing self-driving cars in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, marking the city's first autonomous vehicle testing launch. The pilot program allows Waymo to operate up to eight vehicles with human drivers behind the wheel, in compliance with New York state law that currently requires a driver to be present. The testing will continue through late September 2025, with the potential for extension, and Waymo must adhere to strict safety, cybersecurity, and reporting requirements as part of the permit conditions. Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the administration's tech-friendly stance and emphasized that this testing is a step toward advancing New York City into the 21st century. Waymo has been expanding its autonomous services across the U.S., including cities like Austin, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., and has surpassed 10 million robotaxi trips nationwide. While fully autonomous ride-hailing services are planned for the future, current operations in New York involve manual driving as the company awaits further regulatory approvals.