Waymo robotaxi operating on a public road. (Photo courtesy of Waymo).

 

[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Kathy Hochul has withdrawn proposed legislation that would have allowed commercial robotaxi services in New York State, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, a spokesperson for the governor’s office told Reuters that discussions with stakeholders, including state lawmakers, made it clear there was insufficient support to advance the robotaxi bill.

The move comes despite progress by Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet. In August last year, Waymo became the first company to receive permission to test autonomous vehicles in New York City, provided a human safety driver remained in the driver’s seat.

Waymo currently operates commercial robotaxi services in several major U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.

The company has said it plans to expand services by the end of this year to cities such as Dallas, San Antonio, Orlando, Nashville, and London, with a goal of surpassing one million paid rides per week.

 

 

 

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