Autonomous Vehicles and Robotaxis

At a glance

• What: Whether and how Cambridge should prepare for driverless vehicles and robotaxis such as Waymo, which are not legal to operate driverless in Massachusetts today.

Context

Massachusetts has no framework allowing driverless operation; testing requires a safety driver and a statewide permit (updated 2026). Four bills died in study this session. City staff warn that state or federal rules would likely preempt local control. Labor groups (Teamsters, App Drivers Union, Carmen's Union, Greater Boston Labor Council) oppose robotaxis over jobs, safety, surveillance and bias. The city's ADA coordinator sees real benefits for blind people and people with intellectual disabilities but flags that no wheelchair-accessible robotaxi exists. Councillors split between caution (Tim Flaherty, Patricia Nolan, Marc McGovern) and optimism about shared autonomous vehicles (Catherine Zusy).

Status

Discussion only; no ask or vote. A follow-up hearing is expected, especially if a testing or pilot program is proposed in Cambridge.

Sources

• https://youtube.com/watch?v=nCm3wXiPdDA (Transportation and Public Utilities Committee, 2026-10-22; auto-generated captions)

Log

• 2026-10-22 - Transportation and Public Utilities Committee - Committee hearing: city primer, labor and disability testimony, two public speakers; councillors asked for more study and a follow-up hearing.
• 2026-11-09 - City Council Regular Meeting - Report on the Oct 22 hearing (CC 2026-101) placed on the council agenda; outcome not yet posted.