The taxi drivers New York, USAthey face a tension in their work with the arrival of the “robotaxi” operated by the company Waymoowned by Alphabetthe parent house of Google. Thus, they threaten to carry out a strike.
This new means of autonomous transport – which does not need drivers to move through the streets – generated various repercussions between users and criticism among taxi drivers, who consider that the update could “Be dangerous” and “finish your job.”
In this context, the Federation of taxi drivers from the state of New York He sent an order to the governor Kathy Hochul to stop a program approved by Mayor Adams that allows the use of testing eight of these vehicles during the next month.
New York taxi drivers threaten to stop after Google’s “robotaxis”
According to local media, taxi drivers argue that Security tests With self -employed cars they should be carried out elsewhere. “Let them demonstrate in the West coast or in the center of the United States or in sections, But not in New York City”Said the member of the Fernando Mateo Federation.
Mateo also warned that, if the authorities do not intervene, The drivers will stop working in the five counties in New Yorkwhich could imply the total paralysis of the city.
As explained, in addition to the typical yellow taxis that are part of the postcard, some 100,000 vehicles without official license operate in the peripheral neighborhoods that would also be affected.
However, and according to the current framework, Waymo can request more trial time In the neighborhoods of Manhattan and Brooklyn Once the first month is finished. The city granted the permits under the condition that the cars have a Specialist behind the wheelsince state legislation requires a driver present at all times.
Waymo already operates in the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, Phoenix, Austin and Atlantaand projects to reach Washington DC in 2026. However, Mateo said that the “robotaxis” are “extremely dangerous” in a city as circulated as New York, where traffic is chaotic and instant decisions are required that “No robot or algorithm can replicate”
On the other hand, and alien to the claims of the taxi drivers, the company celebrated its landing in the Big Apple with a post in social networks. “Great news. Waymo is taking the next step, the first of its kind, To offer totally autonomous trips to New Yorkers!“He wrote in X.
And he added: “We are proud to work with the leaders of the New York state to lay the bases for totally autonomous trips, Starting with the first permit issued by the Department of Transportation to drive autonomously. “
Google will provide artificial intelligence tools to the US government
The technological giant, Googleconfirmed that will provide your artificial gemini intelligence tools to all US federal agencies in an agreement that aims to promote technological transformation in the public sector. As detailed, the agreement will be “practically free“
In detail, the collaboration of Google With federal agencies it will be given as a result of an AI -called Services Package “Gemini for Goverment“. The measure was confirmed through a joint statement between the company and the General Services Administration.
Source: Ambito
