Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. ($GOOGL), has received its first permit from the New York City Department of Transportation to begin testing self-driving cars in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. The permit, valid through late September 2025, allows Waymo to operate up to eight autonomous vehicles in these areas. Testing will require a trained human driver to be present behind the wheel at all times. This marks the first-ever permit granted for autonomous vehicle testing in New York City, a market known for its stringent regulations. The initiative is seen as a crucial step toward launching a full robotaxi service in the city, which is considered one of the most challenging environments for autonomous driving. Waymo currently operates similar services in San Francisco, where robotaxis have recently been allowed to operate on Market Street during off-peak hours. The launch in New York City has drawn mixed reactions, including concerns from ride-share drivers and app-based workers about the impact of autonomous vehicles on their jobs. Meanwhile, competitors like Tesla ($TSLA) are hiring autopilot operators in the area but have not yet applied for testing permits. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has expressed support for innovation and a tech-friendly administration. The deployment of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles in New York represents a major milestone in the advancement of self-driving technology in urban environments.