Minneapolis City Council to vote on robotaxi regulation Thursday

The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote Thursday on a proposed ordinance that would require human monitors in driverless rideshare vehicles.

The robotaxi industry is booming nationwide, and the most widely known driverless rideshare vehicle operator — Waymo — has already been testing its fleet in the Twin Cities.

Progressives on the Minneapolis City Council have championed the ordinance now up for a final vote, which would require human safety monitors in autonomous vehicles.

Based on Tuesday’s committee vote, ordinance advocates could be hard-pressed to muster the nine votes needed to override a mayoral veto.

A spokesperson for Waymo previously said that the proposed Minneapolis ordinance goes too far, and would limit the company’s ability to operate in the city.