Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, is set to begin testing its robo-taxis on freeways in Phoenix, Arizona. This expansion comes as California lawmakers and labor organizations demand stricter regulations for self-driving vehicles. Waymo has previously conducted extensive testing on public roads in both Arizona and California.
The initial phase of freeway testing will be limited to Waymo employees, as the company aims to assess the viability and safety of autonomous rides on highways. Waymo emphasized the importance of freeway testing as it plans to expand its operations to other cities in the future. The company believes that utilizing freeways can significantly speed up trips, reducing travel time by up to 50% compared to city streets.
Waymo currently operates within a 225 square mile area in the metro Phoenix region. The expanded testing on freeways will not only enhance their understanding of autonomous driving capabilities but also contribute to the development of efficient transportation systems in urban environments.
Meanwhile, Waymo’s expansion in Arizona coincides with resistance from California officials regarding the rise of robo-taxis. Assemblyman Phil Ting has initiated the process of introducing legislation that would allow San Francisco police to issue tickets to autonomous vehicles and require prompt sharing of accident reports. This action follows a previous incident where a pedestrian was struck by a self-driving vehicle, prompting the revocation of General Motor’s Cruise permit.
Furthermore, labor union Teamsters has joined the cause by supporting a bill that aims to implement local ordinances before robo-taxis can operate. The proposal has the potential to pose a threat to autonomous vehicle companies’ lobbying efforts in Sacramento, as it seeks to ensure that decisions about autonomous technology rollout are not solely in the hands of profit-driven corporations.
As Waymo continues to explore new frontiers in autonomous driving and expand its reach, the debate over regulations and labor rights surrounding self-driving vehicles is likely to intensify.
The source of the article is from the blog lanoticiadigital.com.ar