Waymo, the self-driving tech development unit of Google’s parent company, has increased its lobbying efforts in anticipation of the New York legislative session, which will shape the future of autonomous vehicles in the state, addressing concerns related to job losses and safety.

The company plans to test up to five Jaguar vehicles equipped with its self-driving software in Buffalo, New York, starting early next year before its testing permit expires in April. The success of these tests could lead to the operation of fully autonomous vehicles without a human driver. 

The company aims to showcase its technology and is advocating for an expansion of testing capabilities.

Organized labor has expressed concerns about potential job impacts due to the introduction of autonomous vehicles, while lobbying firms also actively engage with state authorities on behalf of Waymo. While the state governor has not committed publicly to relaxing rules on driverless vehicles, the emphasis remains on the safe testing of innovative technologies, with companies required to collaborate with law enforcement and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for approval.