Waymo and Zoox robots are a common sight on the streets of San Francisco, and soon Uber, because of cooperation with Lucid and Nuro, will even come to the city. That’s exactly how San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie likes it.
“I think we should be a testing ground for new technologies, artificial intelligence and health care technologies – and so on,” Lurie said Wednesday on the TechCrunch Disrupt principal stage. “We always have been and under my leadership we will continue to lead and support.”
Lurie added that he is proud of the success that Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle technology company, has had in the Bay Area. And he added: “we welcome others.”
Lurie was quick to say that safety is paramount, adding that autonomous vehicles are regulated at the state level. The California Department of Motor Vehicles regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles. However, corporations that need to offer and charge robotaxi rides must also obtain permits from the California Public Utilities Commission.
While Lurie is opening its arms to autonomous vehicles, other cities are more resistant. Boston, for example, has considered banning autonomous vehicles in the city.
“Waymo has proven that it is a safe journey,” he said, noting that robot taxis attract tourists who come to the city to ride autonomous vehicles. “We hope to have it open at the airport soon and be able to take people into the city.”
However, this does not mean that there’ll be no resistance. For example, the Teamsters Union has lobbied for restrictions on autonomous trucks to guard jobs.
Meanwhile, Lurie is positive about technology and the money and jobs it could actually bring to the city.
“We believe in the future,” he said. “The future always starts in San Francisco, and we intend to build on it.”