Jul 15, 2025 - Business
Philly iffy on self-driving cars
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Philadelphians are deeply skeptical about self-driving cars coming here.
The big picture: A clear majority — 70% — of roughly 160 readers said autonomous vehicles wouldn't survive in the city, per Axios Philadelphia's poll.
Catch up quick: Waymo robotaxis (with a human driver) are cruising on Philadelphia streets this summer.
- Yes but: They're not picking up riders. The company's fleet of Jaguar i-Pace EVs is closed to the public.
What you're saying: Here are readers' takes on the tech coming to Philly:
👎 Doubters
- Philly can't have nice things. I'm sure someone will throw one into the Schuylkill River.
- Remember Hitchbot?? RIP
- We don't need robots putting people out of work until we're ready to reckon with what that means for every Philadelphian.
- Does it know about courtesy tows?!
- Philly driving is Thunderdome-level chaos with the most aggressive drivers in the U.S.
- Throw in the poorly maintained streets, road hazards, YOLO living, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and even the most advanced autonomous programs will struggle to survive.
👍 Believers
- It will reduce traffic jams. It should be mandatory in Philly.
- It'll offer another great option for commuters.
- Every city will be fit for self-driving cars once the software learns about their idiosyncrasies.
- If they can have Waymo robotaxis in other cities, Philly is ready.
- These cars are the future. They've proven themselves in the places they've already operated.