Waymo will be permitted to test up to eight autonomous vehicles in parts of Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September 2025, though public figures such as former Mayor Bill de Blasio are speaking out against the development.
Following successful rollouts in Austin and the Bay Area earlier this year, Waymo has been granted permission to begin testing a limited number of its robotaxis in parts of Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, New York City.
With approval from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), Waymo will be permitted to test up to eight autonomous vehicles in these areas until late September 2025. After the pilot period, the Alphabet-owned company will have the opportunity to apply for an extension. Due to New York State’s strict autonomous vehicle regulations, the robotaxis will still be required to have a trained AV specialist behind the wheel at all times.
