Waymo and Zoox robotaxis are a daily sight on San Francisco streets, and shortly Uber, via a partnership with Lucid and Nuro, will descend on the town as properly. It’s precisely how San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie likes it.
“I feel we must be the testbed for rising expertise and AI and healthcare tech — and all of it,” Lurie stated Wednesday on the primary stage of TechCrunch Disrupt. “We at all times have been, and underneath my management, we’ll proceed to guide and lean in.”
Lurie added that he’s pleased with the success that Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous automobile tech firm, has had within the Bay Space. And, he stated “we welcome others.”
Lurie was fast to say that security comes first, including that autonomous automobiles are regulated on the state stage. The California Division of Motor Autos regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous automobiles. However firms that need to provide and cost for robotaxi rides should additionally get permits from the California Public Utilities Fee.
Whereas Lurie is opening his arms to autonomous automobiles, different cities are extra resistant. Boston, as an example, has thought-about a ban on autonomous automobiles within the metropolis.
“Waymo has confirmed out it’s a secure experience,” he stated, noting that the robotaxis have attracted vacationers who come to the town to take a experience within the driverless automobiles. “We’re hoping it opens on the airport shortly, and may take folks right here into the town.”
That doesn’t imply there received’t be some resistance. As an illustration, the Teamsters Union has lobbied for restrictions on self-driving vehicles in a bid to guard jobs.
Lurie, in the meantime, has taken a bullish view on tech and the cash and jobs it may well carry to the town.
“We consider sooner or later,” he stated. “The long run begins at all times in San Francisco, and we’re going to lean into it.”
