Overview

• New York City Mayor Eric Adams has approved the testing of autonomous vehicles with the requirement of a safety driver present at all times.
• The decision has sparked debate among safety advocates and residents, with concerns over the technology's readiness and potential safety risks.
• Testing guidelines include rigorous background checks for safety drivers, adherence to traffic laws, and comprehensive safety plans from companies.
• Opposition from various groups highlights the challenges of integrating autonomous vehicles into dense urban environments like NYC.
• Despite controversy, companies like Waymo express support for the city's cautious approach to testing and potential future deployment.