San Francisco Mayor: ‘We should be a testbed for emerging technology’

Waymo and Zoox robo-taxis are a regular sight on the streets of San Francisco, and soon Uber, through a partnership with Lucid and Nuro, will descend on the city as well. And that’s exactly what San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie likes.

“I think we should be a testbed for emerging technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare technology — all of that,” Lurie said Wednesday on the main stage of TechCrunch Disrupt. “We have always been, and under my leadership, we will continue to lead and advance.”

Lowry added that he is proud of the success that Waymo, the self-driving vehicle technology company owned by Alphabet, has achieved in the Bay Area. “We welcome others,” he said.

Lowry was quick to say that safety comes first, adding that autonomous vehicles are regulated at the state level. The California Department of Motor Vehicles regulates the testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles. But companies that want to offer robo-taxi rides and charge fees must also obtain permits from the California Public Utilities Commission.

While Lowry opens his arms to autonomous vehicles, other cities are more resistant. Boston, for example, has considered a ban on self-driving vehicles in the city.

“Waymo has proven that it is a safe ride,” he said, noting that robotaxis have attracted tourists who come to the city to ride the self-driving vehicles. “We hope it will open at the airport soon and be able to take people here to the city.”

That doesn’t mean there won’t be some resistance. For example, the Truck Drivers Union has pushed for restrictions on self-driving trucks in an effort to protect jobs.

Meanwhile, Lowry took an optimistic view of the technology and the money and jobs it could bring to the city.

“We believe in the future,” he added. “The future always starts in San Francisco, and we will focus on that.”