Robotaxi service Waymo has the green light to test autonomously in Pittsburgh with a licensed specialist behind the wheel, but the cars are still in manual mode for now.

Why it matters: The certification puts Waymo one step closer to launching fully driverless taxis here.

Context: Pennsylvania law requires a PennDOT permit to operate autonomous vehicles, with or without a safety driver in the car. Waymo previously held certification only in Philadelphia but has now secured approval for Pittsburgh, the company confirmed to Axios on Tuesday.

Zoom in: Waymo has been testing its vehicles manually in Pittsburgh since announcing its expansion here late last year.

• Pittsburghers have since spotted the cars throughout Downtown, the East End, and the South Hills. Waymo also shares office space with Google in Bakery Square.

Yes, but: No companies operate fully driverless vehicles on public roads in Pennsylvania, per PennDOT, and Waymo would need additional approval to do so.

The big picture: Waymo is accelerating its rollout of robotaxis in the U.S. as self-driving technology expands across America.

• Armed with $16 billion in fresh capital from parent Alphabet and others, Waymo is quickly extending its lead over other players like Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox, which are still mostly in testing mode.

By the numbers: Now in 10 cities, Waymo has doubled the number of markets it serves in a matter of months.

• It's laying the groundwork for service in at least 20 cities, and is on track to provide more than 1 million driverless rides per week nationwide by the end of the year.

Still, high operational costs, regulatory hurdles, and public scrutiny could constrain network growth.

What's next: The company aims to launch fully driverless rideshares in Pittsburgh and will notify the public before doing so, said Ethan Teicher, a spokesperson for Waymo, though the company did not specify how soon that could happen.

• "People in Pittsburgh will continue to see Waymo vehicles operating with trained professionals behind the wheel as we make progress towards launching in the city," he said.

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Live Nation will open a 4,000-seat entertainment venue in the Lower Hill District this year, with tributes to the neighborhood's music legacy lining the walls, a rooftop lounge overlooking Downtown, an intimate listening room and more.

Driving the news: Citizens Live at the Wylie released first-look renderings and videos yesterday from Blueprint Studio, Live Nation's in-house design team.

Here's what fans can expect from the 98,500-square-foot space near PPG Paints Arena.

The vibe: The Wylie is partnering with the Carnegie Museum of Art to feature images from its acclaimed Charles "Teenie" Harris Archive documenting life in Pittsburgh's Black communities in the early to mid-20th century.

• A striking mirrored piano on the ceiling will crown the top of the stairway near the auditorium entrance, a nod to the famous mirrored piano at the former Crawford Grill in Lower Hill.

Zoom in: The Vinyl Room, a "premium fan space and listening lounge inspired by Japanese vinyl culture," will feature Asian-inspired cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.

• The venue will have floor and balcony options, flexing for seated or standing shows and hosting 80 to 110 events a year — from music to comedy acts.

• The name Citizens Live at the Wylie pays homage to the musical heritage of Wylie Avenue, where some of the biggest names in jazz played during the Hill's heyday.

What's next: Developers say construction is on track and the venue is expected to open this fall.

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🥪 The Common Good, a new fast-casual breakfast and lunch spot from the team behind Palm Palm and Ritual House, is now open in the Union Trust Building Downtown. Expect fresh salads, sandwiches, paninis, bowls, juices, smoothies and specialty coffees.

• The eatery is open for dine-in and takeout Monday-Saturday from 7am-4pm. (Press release)

⚾ Veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen will not return to the Pirates this season. The Texas Rangers agreed to a minor league deal with 39-year-old McCutchen yesterday. He'll compete for a major league role, ending his second stint with the Pirates. (Post-Gazette)

🚫 President Trump fired Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem yesterday, a decision welcomed by local Dems. (Axios)

🇮🇷 Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted Wednesday against restricting President Trump's military action in Iran. Fetterman was the only Senate Democrat to oppose the effort. (WHYY / Axios)

Axios Miami's Martin Vassolo tested one of Waymo's self-driving cars earlier this year in Little Havana.

His review: It was a smooth and surprisingly human-like ride.

His tips for navigating an eventual rollout in Pittsburgh or visiting a city where they're already on the road:

✅ Do's:

• Tap the tablet: The in-car screen allows passengers to control music, climate and ride functions.
• Wear your seatbelt. It's the right call in every ride, but the Waymo won't start moving until you buckle up.
• Try out the back right seat. You get a good view of the steering wheel spinning to make turns (if that doesn't freak you out).

❌ Don'ts

• Don't sit in the driver's seat. Feel free to sit shotgun, however.
• Don't touch the steering wheel or other driving controls. "Somebody from rider support will get on and say, 'Please don't do that,'" Waymo's Ethan Teicher told Axios.
• Don't smoke or vape in the car.
• Don't expect the vehicle to speed. The vehicle does not mimic other drivers' behaviors.

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