Boston weighs clampdown on driverless taxis in threat to Waymo

"Boston city councilors are proposing an ordinance that would require Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo and other autonomous ride-share services to have a human operator present in the vehicle. The legislation would mandate a study on the technology's effects on the employment of current ride-share drivers and prohibit self-driving cars from operating in Boston until that's been completed and other permitting requirements are established."

"The restrictions are up for possible action at a meeting on Wednesday, though councilors said there are likely to be more hearings on the legislation before it comes to a full vote. Typically, proposals from city councilors that advance must pass through committee and then receive public hearings before the mayor signs off. The exact language of Boston's restrictions on autonomous vehicles could change substantially before anything becomes law."

"Boston has been something of a hotbed for autonomous vehicle development. Hyundai Motor Co.-backed Motional is headquartered in the city and has been testing on public roads there since 2016. Boston is also among the cities where Waymo, which is widely considered to be the leader in the space, has been doing mapping and testing work as the company looks to expand service to new US cities."

Boston city councilors propose an ordinance requiring a human operator in Waymo and other autonomous ride-share vehicles. The ordinance would mandate a study on the technology's effects on employment of current ride-share drivers and would prohibit self-driving cars from operating in Boston until the study and other permitting requirements are completed. Even after permitting, vehicles would need a human safety operator inside and able to intervene. The proposal may undergo committee review and public hearings and could change before final approval. Boston hosts AV development including Hyundai-backed Motional and Waymo testing. Labor unions have protested the AV rollout, and Waymo operates paid fully autonomous rides in five U.S. cities.

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