Waymo's self-driving cars debut in Seattle

Driving the news: A fleet of Waymo's electric Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and Zeekr RTs is expected to arrive in the Emerald City this week, spokesperson Sandy Karp tells Axios.

• For now, human drivers will be behind the wheel.

Yes, but: Don't expect to hail a ride yet. More testing and permitting are required before the public can ride, per Karp.

State of play: Autonomous vehicle pilot programs must include trained human operators, detailed safety plans and close coordination with emergency responders, the Seattle Department of Transportation said in a statement.

• The city will pilot a system that shares real-time 911 data with connected vehicles to steer them clear of emergency scenes.

What they're saying: It's potentially transformative, said Kevin Koppes, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation Washington, in a statement provided by Waymo.

• "Safe, reliable transportation is one of the greatest challenges for people with epilepsy. … Waymo's commitment to growing autonomous vehicle services creates new opportunities for greater freedom and inclusion."

The other side: The company's robotaxis have faced criticism in other cities for numerous issues, including stalling, speeding and behaving erratically.

• Labor groups warn they could displace drivers, while safety advocates question whether the tech is truly ready for prime time.

The big picture: Waymo has logged 10 million driverless trips since 2020, per Karp.