enhance street safety, Waymo is now preparing to introduce its vehicles in Massachusetts. The focus is specifically on the city of Boston, where Waymo had commenced assessing the area in 2025 along with the distinctive challenges it will pose for robotaxis. Nevertheless, there is an obstacle that Waymo must address. At this moment, there is no law in Massachusetts that explicitly allows fully autonomous vehicles without human operators. Prior to Waymo’s ability to function in Boston, legal steps need to be taken to pave the way for its operations.
Waymo is receiving some backing in its bid to enter Boston. There is a proposed bill permitting autonomous vehicles as long as they comply with state-specified operational and safety standards. Waymo also has the endorsement of Massachusetts State Representative Dan Cahill, who is the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Cahill is working to revise transportation legislation to enable Waymo’s operations while emphasizing a vision of safety as autonomous vehicle technology progresses. However, Waymo still encounters considerable opposition that could hinder its expansion into Boston as desired.