Waymo self-driving vehicles spotted in Chicago, sparking autonomous taxi buzz

Social media lit up this week with sightings of Waymo self-driving cars in Chicago, NBC Chicago reported. A video showed at least two autonomous vehicles unloading from a truck on the 100 block of West Kinzie Street in River North, the article explained. One appeared parked in a bike lane, drawing quick comments from X users.

A Reddit post also shared a photo of seven Waymo vehicles in a downtown garage, NBC added. These posts fueled talk of driverless cars hitting Chicago streets soon.

Mapping streets, not picking up riders

According to NBC, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office confirmed Waymo notified the city of its presence. The company aims to map street formations, record geographical data and study driving conditions, according to the mayor's office.

Waymo vehicles had human drivers and carried no passengers. "We are coordinating closely with community leaders and policymakers and believe autonomous technology can strongly support Chicago's goals for road safety and enhanced accessibility for all communities,"CBS News Chicago quoted Waymo officials.

The mayor's office added in CBS’ report: "As of now, autonomous vehicles have not been authorized within the City of Chicago or the State of Illinois." It stressed no current deployment of riderless cars.

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Regulatory hurdles and local reactions

According to CBS, Illinois Rep. Kam Buckner introduced a bill for a pilot program in Cook County and possibly others. "I think the only way for us to have autonomous vehicles happen with us and not to us is to do what we're doing here: take the time, do the pilot, and figure out where we want to go as a state," Buckner said, as reported by NBC.

The proposal awaits state approval. Taxi driver Hamid Sakhahane worried about his job after 15 years of driving. "Business it's already bad because of Uber, so now they came up with the, you know, driverless cabs, it's just going to get worse," he told CBS News Chicago.

Safety debate and future outlook

Resident Mia Dorien voiced safety fears to CBS: "No one's driving it, and I don't know what it's programmed to do." On the other hand, Rider Brett Broz told CBS he praised the new technology: "I've taken one, and they're awesome. I think it's the other people you've gotta worry about, probably more than the Waymos."

Experts note improvements in sensors and models for tough conditions like Chicago traffic or snow. Philipp Kampshoff, who studies Waymo safety, said progress has boosted confidence in complex scenarios, per CBS News Chicago.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Illinois welcomed autonomous vehicles, said CBS. Their statement, quoted by Waymo: "Autonomous vehicles hold the exciting promise of preventing deaths and injuries caused by behavioral factors, including impaired driving, if deployed responsibly and safely..."

Waymo runs services in Los Angeles and Phoenix. No launch date is set for Chicago. The city plans talks with stakeholders and Springfield lawmakers for an equitable rollout.