Chicago Eyes Waymo’s Driverless Ambitions

Waymo, the tech giant behind autonomous cars, has been quietly testing its vehicles on Chicago’s streets. The company operates 3,000 driverless cars across ten U.S. cities but has not yet begun offering rides in the Windy City. Critics watch closely, curious how the system will perform amid Chicago’s unique traffic and pedestrian mix.

Recent Incidents Fuel Skepticism

• December 2025 – A Waymo vehicle stalled amid San Francisco traffic.
• November 2025 – The same car accidentally entered an active crime scene in Los Angeles.
• December 2024 – A Phoenix driver was trapped inside a Waymo that appeared to be circling endlessly.

After each episode, the company released software updates and claimed to use these events as learning opportunities for safety improvements.

Expert Insights: Specific Challenges

Dr. Missy Cummings, a robotics professor and self‑driving authority, highlights several pain points:

• Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection – Waymo cars struggle with unpredictable foot traffic, scooters, and potholes.
• Remote Operator Dependence – The system still relies on remote operators, a fact underscored by a San Francisco power outage last December. During that event, dozens of vehicles stalled and blocked emergency routes; city officials had to call Waymo 36 times that night, with assistance only arriving after the mayor texted the CEO.

Waymo’s remote support team—about 70 operators in total—operates from the Philippines, raising concerns about response times and licensing. Cummings argues for U.S.-based operators with valid driver’s licenses to meet local standards and reduce delays. She also cautions against using the cars on local surface streets, especially at low speeds, and remains uncertain about highway performance.

Safety Claims vs. Reality

• Waymo’s Claim – A 92 % reduction in serious crashes and pedestrian injuries compared to average human drivers.
• Experience Logged – Over 170 million autonomous miles since 2019, a fraction of the billions Americans drive yearly.
• Analyst View – Some analysts say this volume is too small for definitive safety conclusions.

Legislative Outlook

A proposed Illinois bill could allow a pilot program for driverless taxis in Cook County, but the legislation is still under review. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving see autonomous vehicles as a future solution to reduce fatal accidents caused by impaired driving.