Governor Hochul Pulls Plug on Waymo's New York Expansion

In a recent policy reversal, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has decided against allowing commercial robotaxi services in smaller cities outside New York. This setback comes after discussions with various stakeholders revealed insufficient support for the proposal, leading to disappointments for autonomous vehicle company Waymo.

Waymo, a division of Alphabet, had hoped to expand its robotaxi services into New York, building on its existing operations in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. While formidable in other markets, the company faces regulatory and public relations hurdles in New York, with the current authorization for testing set to expire on March 31.

Critics, including the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, celebrate the decision, citing safety concerns that have plagued autonomous vehicles after incidents like a recent accident in Santa Monica. Amidst mixed reactions, some lawmakers are pushing for national legislation to streamline the deployment of self-driving technology.