New York begins testing for the city's first autonomous robotaxis: futuristic taxis.

New York City took a key step toward the future of urban transportation by granting the first permits for robotaxis, or autonomous vehicles, to operate within its city limits.

These experimental permits will allow the operation of a limited number of self-driving cars in specific areas of Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. The company in charge of these tests will be Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, Google's parent company.

Although other US cities already have autonomous taxi services in operation, in New York, state regulations require all vehicles on its roads to have a human driver at the wheel . For this reason, Waymo's robotaxis will include a trained specialist behind the wheel during all testing.

This condition marks a substantial difference from other autonomous mobility experiences in the country, such as those in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, where cars drive around without drivers.

The official announcement was made by Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Transportation. In his words, "We are a pro-technology administration and are always looking for innovative ways to safely advance our city."

Under the established guidelines, Waymo will be allowed to operate up to eight autonomous vehicles within the limits of Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn until the end of September 2025. After this trial period, the company will have the option to apply for an extension of its permit to continue operations.

Waymo has established itself as one of the leading companies in the autonomous vehicle industry. With a presence in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, it has already recorded more than 10 million rides in its robotaxis, consolidating its reputation for safety and efficiency.

"With more than 10 million rides taken across five major U.S. cities and a strong safety record, we're proud to work with leaders to lay the groundwork and bring this vital technology to New Yorkers one day," said Annabel Chang, Waymo's director of state and local public policy in the United States.

Earlier this year, Waymo announced its intention to expand its test operations to more than ten new cities across the country. Among the cities targeted for this expansion are Las Vegas, Nevada, and San Diego, California , where a gradual rollout of self-driving services is also expected.

This strategy responds to a growing trend in the technology sector aimed at transforming traditional urban transportation models with vehicles that could eventually operate completely autonomously.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from EFE, and reviewed by the journalist and an editor.