San Francisco Mayor: ‘we Should Be The Testbed For Emerging Tech’

Waymo and Zoox robotaxis are a regular show connected San Francisco streets and soon Uber, done a business pinch Lucid and Nuro, will descend connected nan metropolis arsenic well. It is precisely really San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie likes it.

“I deliberation we should beryllium nan testbed for emerging exertion and AI and wellness attraction tech — and each of it,” Lurie said Wednesday connected nan main shape of TechCrunch Disrupt. “We ever person been, and nether my leadership, we will proceed to lead and thin in.”

Lurie added that he is proud of nan occurrence that Waymo, nan Alphabet-owned autonomous conveyance tech company, has had successful nan Bay Area. And, he said “we invited others.”

Lurie was speedy to opportunity that information comes first, adding that regulations for autonomous vehicles are regulated astatine nan authorities level. The California Department of Motor Vehicles regulates nan testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles. But companies that want to connection and complaint for robotaxi rides, must besides get permits from nan California Public Utilities Commission.

While Lurie is opening his arms to autonomous vehicles, different cities are much resistant. Boston, for instance, has considered a prohibition connected autonomous vehicles successful nan city.

“Waymo has proven retired it is simply a safe ride,” he said, noting that nan robotaxis person attracted visitors who travel nan metropolis to return a thrust successful nan driverless vehicles. “We’re hoping it opens astatine nan airdrome shortly, and tin return group present into nan city.”

That doesn’t mean location won’t beryllium immoderate resistance. For instance, nan Teamsters Union has lobbied for restrictions connected self-driving trucks successful a bid to protect jobs.

Lurie, meanwhile, has taken a bullish position connected tech and nan money and jobs it tin bring to nan city.

“We judge successful nan future,” he said. “The early starts ever successful San Francisco, and we’re going to thin into it.”