Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The future of self-driving taxis may still seem far away but it's already a reality in California and Texas, among other states. 

And the company behind this driverless “robotaxi” service, Waymo, is taking steps to potentially expand to Minnesota. 

 Waymo has hired lobbyists to explore the possibility of changing state laws to allow for the operation of autonomous vehicles. Current statute requires at least one person be on board, who could take over if needed.

Any changes wouldn’t be determined until the legislative session, which begins in February, but Van Oot said the co-chairs of the state House transportation committee have already expressed willingness to having conversations about it next year. 

There is likely to be opposition from unionized rideshare drivers, however.

“They’re concerned about the safety and they’re concerned about job displacement,” Van Oot said. “So, this could evolve to be a bigger fight at the Capitol.”

For the full conversation, click play on the audio player above. 

Transportation

Shows

All Things Considered

NewsPartners

On Air

Clay Masters

Host

Ngoc Bui

Author

The company behind driverless ‘robotaxis,’ Waymo, has hired lobbyists in an effort to expand to Minnesota. 

The future of self-driving taxis may still seem far away but it's already a reality in California and Texas, among other states.And the company behind this driverless 'robotaxi' service is taking steps to potentially expand to Minnesota. Torey Van Oot from Axios reports that Waymo has hired lobbyists to explore the possibility. She shared more with MPR News host Clay Masters. 

Could Minnesotans soon see driverless taxis on the road?

A white driverless car made by the company Waymo drives down a street in San Francisco

Could Minnesotans soon see driverless taxis on the road?

Go Deeper.

Like this?