New York hits the brakes on robotaxi expansion plan | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Kirsten Korosec

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has withdrawn her proposal to legalize robotaxis outside of New York City, marking a setback for Waymo and other autonomous vehicle (AV) companies. The proposal aimed to amend state laws to allow robotaxi operations, but faced opposition and ultimately failed to gain sufficient support in the legislature. Hochul's plan, part of her budget proposal, sought to relax current regulations by allowing AVs to operate without a human driver, provided certain conditions were met. These included restrictions on deploying services in cities with over one million residents, requiring state approval, a $1 million fee, and proof of financial security. Despite these limitations, the withdrawal indicates that stakeholders, including lawmakers and the public, remain cautious about autonomous vehicles. Waymo, a leader in AV technology, had hoped to expand its robotaxi services into New York following successful deployments in cities like Atlanta and Los Angeles. The company emphasized the safety and convenience of its technology, which currently provides over 400,000 rides weekly nationwide. However, with the proposal's removal, Waymo's ability to operate commercially in New York remains uncertain. The decision underscores the ongoing challenges AV companies face in navigating complex regulatory landscapes. While testing is permitted under a restrictive pilot program in NYC until March 2024, commercial services remain out of reach for now. This highlights the delicate balance between innovation and public safety concerns as autonomous technology evolves. For tech enthusiasts and industry watchers, this development reflects broader trends in AV

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/19/2026