Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit, Waymo, has received its first permit to test self-driving cars in New York City with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The approval allows the company to advance its robotaxi ambitions in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn, officials said on Friday.
The announcement was made by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Waymo can now operate a limited number of self-driving cars under New York State law, which requires a test vehicle operator to be present at all times and ready to take control if needed.
Waymo initially returned to New York City in July, driving its cars manually to collect data and conduct testing. The company had first brought vehicles to Manhattan in 2021 for similar manual operations, focusing on data collection and road familiarisation.
This move comes as Waymo intensifies its efforts to scale operations across the United States amid growing competition in the robotaxi sector. Tesla also launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June, with plans to expand coverage to half of the U.S. population by the end of 2025.
Waymo currently operates a fleet of approximately 1,500 vehicles and has completed over 10 million rides across five major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin. The company aims to use its New York City testing program to refine its autonomous technology and prepare for broader commercial deployment in one of the country’s most complex urban environments.
By obtaining the permit, Waymo is taking a significant step toward expanding its self-driving services and strengthening its position in the competitive autonomous vehicle market.
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