Waymo continues mapping Cincinnati streets ahead of possible self-driving car testing

CINCINNATI — Waymo, a self-driving car company owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., has spent the last two months mapping Cincinnati streets, potentially setting the stage for testing autonomous vehicles with people in the backseat and no driver.

Self-driving Waymo cars, which are mostly Jaguars with a spinning sensor on top, are already providing automated rides in 15 cities across the country, including Nashville.

"Our hope is that a year from now, everyone will have the opportunity to drive, to be in a driverless car.

Last week in Columbus, a lawmaker representing the Zanesville area introduced a bill that would allow driverless vehicles on Ohio roads and establish statewide regulations.

Another concern raised involves the human toll of self-driving vehicles, with Boente preferring the idea of paying a real person for a ride rather than relying on an automated driving machine.