Waymo Receives Approval to Launch Autonomous Vehicle Testing in New York City

Waymo has gained permission to test its autonomous vehicles in New York City, marking the city’s inaugural approval for such operations. The company announced to TechCrunch that it intends to begin testing “right away.”

The company is authorized to deploy up to eight Jaguar I-Pace SUVs in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until the end of September. Waymo’s cars must have a certified safety operator in the driver’s seat, with at least one hand on the wheel at all times. The firm is banned from picking up passengers (as this would necessitate a license from the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission) and must regularly meet and report data to the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), according to the mayor’s office.

This permit brings Waymo closer to launching a robotaxi service in the city, which could present its biggest challenge to date. Currently, the company operates in San Francisco, Austin, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Among these, only San Francisco offers a complexity level comparable to that of New York City.

Waymo has been surveying the Big Apple for years, beginning in 2021 when it employed its Chrysler Pacifica minivans for manual mapping of the city. Obtaining this permit was not a certainty; the company applied in June and has spent recent months engaging with lawmakers and local organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

This permit aligns with a new autonomous vehicle safety framework introduced by Mayor Eric Adams in 2024. To apply, Waymo coordinated with emergency responders and submitted a testing plan to the local DOT, along with a safety plan detailing operator qualifications, among other requirements. As stated by the mayor’s office, Waymo has also obtained the “necessary permits” from the New York state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Once Waymo’s testing period ends in late September, the company must apply for an extension if it wishes to continue testing.

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