Alphabet-Backed Waymo Receives Permit to Test Autonomous Vehicles in New York City

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet (GOOGL), has secured its first permit from the New York Department of Transportation to test self-driving cars in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the milestone, marking the city's inaugural foray into AV testing. The program will deploy up to eight vehicles through late September, with potential for extension—though state law mandates a human driver remain behind the wheel during trials.

The approval follows Waymo's aggressive national expansion strategy, which includes recent launches in Austin and scaled operations in San Francisco. Plans are underway to penetrate additional urban markets like Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. The company recently surpassed 10 million robotaxi rides, underscoring its industry leadership.

New York's administration has actively facilitated the initiative by establishing safety protocols and a permitting framework. This regulatory collaboration highlights the city's measured approach to fostering AV innovation while prioritizing public safety.