Waymo Prepares to Launch Driverless Taxis in Sydney

In a significant development for the future of transportation in Australia, Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Google's parent company Alphabet, is preparing to bring its driverless taxis to the streets of Sydney. The tech giant has engaged in discussions with Transport for NSW, the state's transport authority, about testing its cutting-edge robotaxi technology in the city.

Transport for NSW has confirmed that Waymo is in contact with the department and that an initial meeting is planned before the end of this year to discuss the company's potential interest in expanding its operations to Australia. This marks a major escalation in the race to introduce fully autonomous vehicles to the country, as Waymo's technology represents a significant leap forward in self-driving capabilities.

Unlike Tesla's "full self-driving" system, which was recently launched in Australia and still requires constant human oversight, Waymo's robotaxis offer "level four autonomy." This means the vehicles can operate entirely without a human driver, with no one in the car who needs a driver's license or is ready to take control of the steering wheel. Waymo's director of engineering, Nick Pelly, has described the technology as akin to an Uber ride, but with no driver present.

The potential introduction of Waymo's driverless taxis in Sydney would represent a significant milestone in the development of autonomous transportation in Australia, offering a glimpse into the future of mobility in the country.