Minneapolis council members propose requiring drivers in driverless cars
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Four Minneapolis City Council members are moving to pump the brakes on Waymo's plans to launch driverless robotaxis on local roads.
Why it matters: A proposed ordinance getting its first public hearing this month is the latest twist in a political fight over regulating autonomous vehicles in Minnesota.
- Competing proposals to regulate or ban the technology statewide stalled at the narrowly divided Legislature last spring.
Driving the news: The city measure, introduced by Council Members Jason Chavez, Aurin Chowdhury, Robin Wonsley, and Jamal Osman, would require that autonomous vehicles have a paid human "safety monitor" in the driver's seat.
- The measure, first reported by the Star Tribune, would also make autonomous vehicle companies get a city license to operate starting next fall.
What they're saying: Wonsley says authors are focused on "public safety and protecting immigrant workers from losing their jobs to automation."
- "Without it, Minneapolis workers and residents are vulnerable to all the negative impacts of robotaxis without any regulations or accountability mechanisms in place," she said in a statement.
The other side: Waymo, which started testing its fleet in the Twin Cities last November, called the proposed regulation "a de facto ban on autonomous vehicles."
- "We remain committed to working with officials on a path forward that offers Minnesotans the option to choose fully autonomous transportation," Adam Lane, Waymo's state and local public policy manager, said in a statement to Axios.
Reality check: It's unclear if the ordinance backers have the votes to pass the proposal — let alone with a veto-proof majority.
- Mayor Jacob Frey's "current focus is on licensing and managing our right of way," spokesperson Jennifer Lor tells Axios.
- "He will continue to have conversations with the Council while looking to the state for regulating the technology and safety of Waymo."
Between the lines: The Waymo debate is a proxy battle in a bigger fight over how AI and automation are reshaping the workforce.
- Critics, including influential labor unions and rideshare drivers, have raised concerns about job losses, traffic impacts and winter driving.
- Supporters of authorizing and regulating the technology on Minnesota roads point to data showing autonomous vehicles have lower crash rates than human drivers.
- They say delaying adoption will hinder innovation and shortchange Minnesotans looking for more accessible transportation options.
What we're watching: The council's push could the stage for a repeat of the recent policy fight over rideshare driver pay.
- In that case, the passage of city-level rules motivated state legislators to strike a deal on a statewide law.
Legislators involved in the negotiations at the State Capitol have told Axios they plan to revive the issue next year.