New York Governor Clears Path for Robotaxis Everywhere, With One Notable Exception

New York Governor Clears Path for Robotaxis Everywhere, With One Notable Exception

Robotaxis Coming to New York—But Not NYC In a move that could reshape transportation across much of the Empire State, Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to legalize commercial robotaxis throughout New York—excluding New York City. The proposal, unveiled during her January 13, 2026 State of the State address, expands the state’s existing autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot program while drawing a clear boundary around the nation’s largest urban center. For residents outside NYC wondering when they might hail a driverless ride, the answer may be sooner than expected—but with strict safety and community approval requirements. Credit: Kirsten Korosec Statewide Expansion, With One Big Exception Governor Hochul’s proposed legislation would allow “the limited deployment of commercial for-hire autonomous passenger vehicles outside New York City.” That phrasing is deliberate: it opens the door for companies like Waymo, Cruise, or Zoox to operate paid robotaxi services in cities such as Buffalo, Roche…