Boston Considers Human Operator Mandate for Waymo’s Self-Driving Taxis

Boston city officials are drafting legislation that WOULD compel autonomous ride-share services like Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet (GOOGL), to maintain human operators in self-driving vehicles. The proposed ordinance also mandates a comprehensive study on the potential impact of autonomous services on traditional ride-share drivers' employment. Pending completion of the study and issuance of permits, autonomous vehicles would be prohibited from operating in Boston without a human safety operator.

The city council may review the proposal as early as Wednesday, though additional public hearings are expected before finalization. Boston's legislative process ensures committee review and public input precede any mayoral approval, leaving room for significant amendments. Notably, Boston has been a hub for autonomous vehicle innovation, hosting Hyundai-backed Motional since 2016. Waymo has also been conducting mapping and testing in the city.