Waymo to start mapping Portland streets
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Photo illustration: Aïda Amer. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Waymo will begin mapping Portland streets with human-driven vehicles, the company announced Tuesday, but the autonomous ride-hailing service remains far from launching paid robotaxi rides in the city.
The big picture: The move is expected to face regulatory and political hurdles before unmanned cars roam our streets.
- The company does not currently have permits to operate in Portland and its announcement essentially amounts to driving around and taking pictures in public rights of way.
What they're saying: "Portland has always been a pioneer in urban design, balancing its independent spirit with a deep commitment to sustainable, forward-thinking living," the company said in a blog post.
- "We aim to eventually provide both lifelong residents and first-time visitors with a safe, reliable, and stress-free way to move through the city."
Between the lines: State law says a human operator is still required behind the wheel in most cases.
- Portland is currently weighing rule changes that would permit for-hire automated vehicles on city streets, albeit with a number of restrictions, requirements and conditions.
Yes, but: Lawmakers considered a bill in the last legislative session that would have allowed Waymo to deploy its vehicles in the state, but the bill died in committee and several Portland city councilors testified in opposition.
- Waymo does appear to have the support of at least one Portland leader, though.
- "We need every tool to help us meet our Vision Zero goals," Mayor Keith Wilson said in the company's blog post, referencing the city's efforts to eliminate traffic deaths.
- "Autonomous technology plays an increasingly important role in providing a safe, thriving, affordable multimodal transportation system."
The bottom line: Waymo has aggressive expansion plans, but moving too fast could make life harder for the company, autonomous vehicle expert Grayson Brulte told Axios.
- "The biggest hurdle Waymo faces is not understanding local politics," he said earlier this year. "They're going into markets where the policy is not ready yet."