Waymo, a self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet, has been granted permission to test its autonomous vehicles on the streets of New York City. This announcement was made by Mayor Eric Adams on Friday, stating that Waymo was the first company to receive a permit for testing self-driving cars in the city this year.

According to the city, Waymo will be allowed to test up to eight self-driving vehicles in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn until late September, with the option to apply for an extension. However, the company will have to adhere to the city’s strict AV safety rules, including having a trained specialist behind the wheel at all times.

In a statement, Mayor Adams expressed his administration’s support for innovative ways to safely move the city forward. He also emphasized the importance of prioritizing street safety as they continue to implement responsible innovation.

Waymo, which applied for the permit in June, will be working closely with the New York City Department of Transportation during its testing window. However, the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission currently prohibits the use of autonomous vehicles for for-hire rides, so Waymo’s testing will be limited to AV technology only.

Annabel Chang, Waymo’s head of U. S. state and local public policy, stated that the company was proud to be working with city leaders to bring this life-saving technology to New Yorkers. She also mentioned that they would need a TLC license in order to offer rides with their self-driving cars.

The announcement of Waymo’s permit has sparked both support and opposition from different groups. The Transit Workers Union came out strongly against the use of autonomous cars in the city, citing safety hazards and potential job losses. On the other hand, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) New York sees the potential for self-driving cars to prevent deaths and injuries caused by impaired drivers, as long as they are deployed responsibly and safely.

This permit is not the first instance of self-driving technology being tested in New York City. Last year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began testing self-driving shuttles at JFK International Airport. With the granting of this permit, it is clear that New York City is taking steps towards embracing autonomous vehicles and incorporating them into their transportation system.