Waymo Begins Self-Driving Car Tests in Chicago

Waymo has begun testing its self-driving cars in Chicago, but these cars will have human drivers for now. This testing aims to help the company map the city and gather important data, according to a Waymo spokesperson.

On Tuesday, Block Club noticed several Waymo cars in a Downtown parking garage. A worker was checking the software, and a spokesperson mentioned that a small number of cars would start mapping areas east of I-90 from the South Loop to Wrigleyville.

Waymo, owned by Alphabet Inc., wants to welcome passengers soon. However, it first needs changes to the Illinois driving laws that allow for self-driving vehicles. There is a discussion happening among lawmakers about these changes.

State Representative Kam Buckner has proposed a bill that could let large counties, including Cook County, start a three-year program to test a limited number of self-driving cars. He believes this will help Illinois grow in modern technology.

Some groups, including organized labor, have raised concerns. They worry that these cars could be dangerous for people on the road, such as pedestrians. They also fear that self-driving technology may replace many driving jobs in the state.

How much do you know?

Where is Waymo testing its self-driving cars?

Los Angeles

Chicago

New York

San Francisco

What is the purpose of Waymo testing in Chicago?

To entertain passengers

To gather important data and map the city

To replace taxi drivers

To test new software for gaming

Which areas will Waymo's cars start mapping?

North Side

South Loop to Wrigleyville

West Side

Downtown only

What does Waymo need to begin accepting passengers?

More drivers

Changes to Illinois driving laws

Approval from local businesses

More financial investment

Who proposed a bill regarding self-driving car testing?

Governor of Illinois

Kam Buckner

Waymo spokesperson

Mayor of Chicago

Which county is included in the proposed bill for testing self-driving cars?

Lake County

Cook County

DuPage County

Kane County

Waymo cars in Chicago currently have no human drivers.

True False

Waymo is testing its self-driving cars only in the suburbs of Chicago.

True False

A small number of Waymo cars will start mapping areas east of I-90.

True False

Kam Buckner believes testing self-driving cars will help Illinois grow in technology.

True False

Some groups have expressed concerns about the safety of self-driving cars.

True False

Self-driving technology is expected to create more driving jobs in Illinois.

True False

Waymo has begun testing its self-driving cars in for now.

The areas being mapped include South Loop to in Chicago.

Kam Buckner proposed a bill for a -year program to test self-driving cars.

This testing aims to help the company map the city and gather data.

Concerns have been raised about self-driving cars being dangerous for on the road.

There is a discussion among lawmakers about changes to the driving laws.

This question is required