Waymo Begins Testing Self-Driving Cars in Portland, Aiming for Safer Urban Transport
Waymo has initiated the testing phase of its self-driving cars in Portland, Oregon. The company is manually driving its vehicles through the city to map and understand the local streetscape, which includes iconic bridges and rain-slicked corridors. This effort is part of a broader plan to prepare its autonomous driving system, known as the Waymo Driver, for eventual public use. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson supports the initiative, highlighting the potential of autonomous technology to help the city achieve its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths. The testing comes after a legislative proposal, House Bill 4085, which aimed to allow broader deployment of autonomous vehicles in Oregon, faced pushback over safety and regulatory concerns. 
