Key Points:
- Governor Hochul withdrew her proposal to allow commercial robotaxis.
- The plan lacked support from state lawmakers and stakeholders.
- Waymo called the decision disappointing but plans to keep trying.
- Supporters argue that self-driving cars improve safety for pedestrians.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has officially scrapped her plan to bring commercial robotaxi services to cities outside of New York City. On Thursday, her office confirmed she withdrew the proposal because it lacked the necessary political backing. A spokesperson stated that after talking to lawmakers and other local groups, it became obvious that the support just wasn’t there to move the idea forward.
This decision serves as a significant roadblock for Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Waymo views New York as a massive potential market. The company received a permit to start testing cars in New York City last year, although those vehicles still require a trained human specialist behind the wheel for safety. They hoped this new legislative proposal would open the door for fully driverless, paid rides in other parts of the state.
Waymo expressed frustration with the sudden policy shift. A company spokesperson said they are disappointed but remain committed to eventually bringing their service to New York. They plan to continue working with the State Legislature to explain the benefits of the technology. The company claims they frequently hear from New Yorkers who use Waymo while traveling in other cities and want access to the service back home.
Currently, Waymo operates paid driverless fleets in major hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin. Expanding into New York was the next logical step to grow their user base. However, the path to selling these rides nationwide remains difficult. Public trust has wobbled following high-profile accidents involving autonomous vehicles from various companies.
Despite these fears, industry advocates argue that halting expansion is a mistake. Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the Chamber of Progress, criticized the Governor’s choice. He noted that autonomous vehicles are already driving down accident rates and improving pedestrian safety in states like Arizona and California. He believes New Yorkers deserve those same protections, but for now, the state’s roads will remain driven by humans.
