New Yorkers will soon see self-driving cars snaking through the city’s congested streets, but the vehicles won’t be driverless.
Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday agreed to allow several companies to deploy autonomous vehicles (AVs) and announced requirements for companies to begin the testing phase.
The controversial robotaxi, which caused an uproar among San Francisco residents over safety risks during a test run last year, will be overseen by the city’s Department of Transportation.
Adams said the new self-driving car program would be an example of “responsible innovation.”
“This technology is coming whether we like it or not, so we’re going to make sure we get it right,” Adams said in a statement. “Then our streets could be safer and our air cleaner.”
“Our streets are vibrant and full of energy, which is great, but it also means we need strong guardrails and requirements for autonomous vehicles of all kinds,” he said. added.
The main requirement during the testing phase is that all robotaxis have a physical human at the wheel in case something goes wrong.
These safety drivers will be required to undergo background checks and complete “appropriate training on the vehicle systems they are testing.”
The city will also require companies seeking permits to undergo a testing process and submit safety plans to the Department of Transportation before joining Uber and Yellow Cab.
“We are doing our due diligence to stay ahead of the AV revolution and ensure that when AVs arrive, they do so within a framework that benefits New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.
The city has not announced when self-driving cars will begin driving within the five wards.
Some civil society activists have already opposed the plan, arguing that the new, unproven technology will compromise the safety of other drivers and pedestrians.
“Self-driving cars are an unproven and dangerous technology that has no place in New York City,” said Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, a safe-roads advocacy group.
“New Yorkers should not become lab rats for the auto industry that has already killed and injured thousands of our neighbors.”
San Francisco residents were outraged that robotaxis were blocking buses and emergency vehicles and causing traffic jams in the city.
California regulators were forced to crack down on early adoption after a driverless car operated by General Motors Co.’s Cruise dragged a pedestrian more than 20 feet to the curb on a San Francisco street.
A few months later, a driverless vehicle deployed by Google’s Waymo collided with a cyclist, causing minor injuries.
After a rocky rollout, Waymo recently received approval from California regulators to bring self-driving cars to Los Angeles and San Mateo counties.
A Waymo spokesperson welcomed Adams’ announcement, saying the Google-owned unit “has a long-standing relationship with New York City and has previously conducted manual operations and testing in winter weather.”
“We applaud this important step and the city’s continued commitment to driving innovation and delivering transportation improvements to New Yorkers,” said Michelle Peacock, Waymo’s global head of public policy.
