Waymo Secures First-Ever Autonomous Vehicle Testing Permit in New York City – Another Step Ahead of Tesla and Cruise in Robotaxi Race

Waymo is getting one step closer to rides in New York City.

The Alphabet autonomous vehicle subsidiary received its first permit from the New York Department of Transportation on Friday to start testing in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday. The rollout marks the city’s first autonomous vehicle testing launch.

Waymo will begin testing up to eight vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn through late September, with the potential to extend the program. Under New York state law, the company is required to have a driver behind the wheel to operate.

“We’re a tech-friendly administration and we’re always looking for innovative ways to safely move our city forward,” Adams said in a release. “New York City is proud to welcome Waymo to test this new technology in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as we know this testing is only the first step in moving our city further into the 21st century.”

The news comes just two months after the company said it filed permits to test its cars in the city with a trained specialist behind the wheel.

Waymo has hit expansion mode on its services nationwide, launching in Austin this year and expanding its San Francisco area operations in March. The company also plans to bring autonomous vehicles to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., and recently announced operations in Philadelphia as it looks to break further into the Northeast market. In May, Waymo’s CEO said the company surpassed 10 million robotaxi trips — a milestone that underlines its lead in the U.S. driverless car race.

For years, autonomous vehicle companies have sought to introduce their technology to The Big Apple. Waymo itself previously took a crack at it in 2021, rolling out some cars in parts of the city for manual driving and data collection. The city has also signaled interest in hosting autonomous vehicle programs, with the Adams administration last year implementing a series of safety requirements for responsible testing and launching a permit program to regulate deployments.

As part of its current permit, Waymo must regularly submit data reports to the DOT and coordinate closely with law enforcement and emergency services.

Waymo’s edge over Tesla and Cruise

Waymo’s entry into New York also highlights the different paths autonomous vehicle companies are taking in the race to commercialize robotaxis. Unlike Tesla, which has pursued a vision-based system relying heavily on cameras and advanced driver-assistance under its “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) program, Waymo has doubled down on lidar and radar in addition to cameras. This sensor fusion approach provides 360-degree visibility and highly detailed 3D maps of the road, giving regulators greater confidence in its safety — a key reason behind its regulatory wins in multiple states.

Tesla is currently under federal investigation for failing to report crashes involving its partially autonomous driving technology in a timely manner.

Cruise, backed by General Motors, has also been in the spotlight, operating robotaxi fleets in San Francisco and Austin. However, its journey has been marred by safety concerns, including a high-profile accident in San Francisco that led to its permit being suspended in California last year. The setback slowed Cruise’s expansion plans and prompted greater scrutiny of its technology.

By contrast, Waymo has steadily gained approvals, bolstered by years of real-world testing and a cautious approach that emphasizes safety and compliance. The fact that it is the first to receive New York City’s blessing to put robotaxis on the road underscores its lead in the sector.

While Tesla continues to pitch a future where private cars double as robotaxis, and Cruise struggles to rebuild trust, Waymo has positioned itself as the frontrunner by proving regulators and cities can trust its lidar-powered vehicles on the nation’s busiest streets.