Waymo, known for its expanded operations in self-driving robotaxi services in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, is now gearing up to test the complex streets of Boston. According to CBS Boston, the Alphabet subsidiary plans to have vehicles, with humans at the wheel, map out various neighborhoods including Mission Hill, East Boston, and Cambridge, as well as navigating through Massachusetts highways such as I-90 and I-93.
The move represents an exploratory phase for the company, which is searching to understand the intricate byways of a new city to possibly expand its autonomous vehicular embrace. "We'll begin with manual driving in a range of neighborhoods, from Mission Hill and East Boston to Cambridge, Somerville, and Southie," a Waymo spokesperson detailed in a statement obtained by CBS Boston. The company emphasized its commitment to local collaboration and noted the extensive detail with which it maps out its operational territories.
Despite the forward momentum, Waymo is proceeding with caution and has not yet launched a rider program in the city, according to Sandy Karp, a company spokesperson. In a statement cited by The Boston Globe, the company notes that "During these road trips, we send a limited fleet of vehicles to each city for several weeks," ensuring that trained human specialists remain in control.
Mayor Michelle Wu, in an interview with The Globe editorial board, acknowledged her awareness of Waymo's plans and highlighted the need for thoughtful policymaking in the realm of autonomous vehicles. Addressing the potential impacts on traffic congestion, Wu speculated on outcomes such as reduction in car ownership or an increase in vehicles on the road due to the convenience of summoning driverless transport. Waymo's tentative mapping activities do not currently require special permissions, although any future operations would necessitate the green light from MassDOT which stipulates numerous safety and operational criteria.
Labor advocates in California have expressed concerns regarding self-driving vehicles and their implications for human drivers, an issue that is likely to surface in Massachusetts as well. Nevertheless, the acceptance and integration of autonomous vehicles into urban traffic ecosystems appear inevitable, with Waymo's Boston assessment potentially setting the stage for the future of transportation in one of America's oldest cities.
