Waymo Considers Portland as Portland Considers Waymo From the corner of my eye, a periwinkle minivan with rounded corners and bug-eyed windows comes to a stop at a four-way intersection in North Portland. A pair of people in safety vests occupy the front seats. “It’s a Waymo!” my husband gasps. It’s my first time witnessing a robotaxi out in the wild. Unlike those I’ve seen on social media or in the news, this one isn’t driving on train tracks or into flooded roads—which is the least of it. In May, dozens of empty Waymos clogged a cul-de-sac in an Atlanta suburb. Weeks later, amid heavy World Cup traffic in Los Angeles, one crossed a double yellow line, putting itself in the path of oncoming traffic. In 13 separate incidents this spring, Waymo vehicles drove into active freeway construction zones, prompting a mass recall. And yet, since the end of April, Waymo has been mapping Portland—“from its iconic bridges to its bustling, rain-slicked corridors,” according to a press release—with vehicles operated by human drivers. This chaperoned data collection is the company’s first step in launching its self-driving taxi service, which has already rolled out in 10 other American cities. Whether Portland is ready depends on whom you ask. During a public comment period this spring, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) received more than 220 responses from residents, ranging from “I beg you no” to “Safer than some random driver IMHO.” Many supporters portrayed autonomous vehicles (AVs) as part of an unavoidable future. “Don’t keep Portland in the dark ages,” one commenter wrote. “This is going to happen at some point, no point in dragging our feet.” Among the skeptical, safety emerged as the dominant concern, appearing in 52 percent of all comments. Nearly four in five expressed concern that allowing