Waymo has begun testing its self-driving vehicles on Chicago streets, but for now, each car will have a human driver at the wheel. The company is conducting these initial tests to collect mapping data and better understand local road conditions, according to spokesperson Chris Bonelli.
A limited number of Waymo cars started mapping roads east of I-90 from the South Loop up to Wrigleyville as of Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon, several vehicles were seen in a Downtown parking garage being checked by staff.
Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, has recently hired new employees and lobbyists in Chicago. However, before autonomous vehicles can carry passengers in Illinois, changes must be made to state driving laws. Discussions about those changes are currently underway in Springfield.
State Representative Kam Buckner introduced legislation last month that would allow large counties such as Cook County to run a three-year pilot program with a limited number of autonomous vehicles. This pilot would assess their safety and operational readiness and could lead the Illinois Department of Transportation to approve autonomous cars statewide if successful.
“By embracing autonomous innovation, we are ensuring Illinois remains the premier hub for 21st-century growth,” Buckner said in a statement released by Waymo.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office confirmed that Waymo had notified the city about its plans. A spokesperson explained that while the company may map street formations and gather geographical data, it cannot operate fully autonomous cars without drivers at this stage.
“There is no law or regulatory framework which prohibits any licensed individual from driving in Chicago,” the spokesperson said. “The city looks forward to engaging with commuters, workers, transit advocates and industry leaders as we pursue constructive dialogue with our partners in Springfield and pursue an equitable path forward.”
Waymo already operates in ten U.S. cities including locations in California, Texas, and Florida. The company has also started similar tests with drivers present in St. Louis this month as it works through legal requirements for broader deployment across Midwest and East Coast cities.
The introduction of self-driving technology has faced criticism from some labor groups. Josh Witkowski, representing ABATE Illinois—a motorcyclist rights group—warned about potential dangers for pedestrians and motorcyclists posed by autonomous cars. The group supports alternative legislation sponsored by State Senator Patrick Joyce that calls for stricter oversight through a state-run review committee and permitting process.
“It’s disappointing to see Waymo moving forward in an attempt to pressure Illinois lawmakers,” Witkowski said. “There is great potential for this technology to be life-saving but only if it’s pursued in a way that puts people over profits, and that’s not what Waymo is currently doing.”
Concerns about job displacement have also been raised by organizations like the Illinois Drivers Alliance—which is connected with efforts to unionize Uber drivers—who argue that autonomous vehicles could impact thousands of jobs statewide.
“As companies like Waymo look to enter Illinois, our elected officials must stand with working people and prioritize real constituents; not robots and corporate profits,” according to their statement. “We cannot afford to rush this forward without clear guardrails and real protections in place.”
Waymo’s technology has come under federal scrutiny before: last year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation after reports emerged that its vehicles failed to stop near school buses; software was subsequently recalled following these incidents. In another case last October, one of its cars killed a cat in San Francisco; two months later service was temporarily suspended after traffic disruptions during a power outage.
Vandalism against autonomous vehicles has occurred amid public concerns over jobs lost due to automation and increased surveillance linked with such technologies.
Bonelli defended the safety record of Waymo’s fleet: “Waymo uses cameras and sensors to understand its surroundings and drive safely in real time,” he said. “Data is only shared under absolutely necessary circumstances. Waymo does not provide information or data to law enforcement without a valid legal request.”
