Waymo robotaxi expansion slows as cities and states push back

In short: Waymo and other robotaxi companies say the bigger barrier is now politics and rules, not whether the cars can drive.

What's going on

Robotaxis, which are ride-hailing cars that drive themselves, already operate in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Austin, and companies say more launches are coming. But expansion into other major markets is running into stronger resistance from local leaders and worker groups.

Lawyers and industry observers describe the situation as a shift from a technical problem to a political and legal one. Taxi, rideshare, and trucking unions are a major source of opposition because they worry about driving jobs disappearing.

A divide is forming between places that welcome these services and places that slow them down. Some states make it hard for cities to block robotaxis, including Arizona, which changed its state constitution to stop cities from putting up barriers. In contrast, cities like San Francisco have urged state regulators to move more slowly, citing safety incidents, busy streets, and labor concerns.

Boston shows how local politics can stop a rollout. Drivers packed a state hearing on a pro-Waymo bill, and they are backing a ballot measure that would require a human safety driver in every autonomous car, which experts say would effectively end driverless service there.

This is happening alongside a messy set of rules. The federal government sets car safety standards, but states and cities control licensing and day-to-day operation, which creates a patchwork (like different traffic rules in every town). A key federal office focused on automation safety has also lost most of its staff, leaving less national guidance.

What to watch

Watch for more state laws that overrule city restrictions, and for local efforts to require safety drivers. Canada is also worth watching, since British Columbia is blocking fully autonomous features for now and Waymo is lobbying for changes.

Source: NYTimes