Move Over Transformers, It’s Time for Robotaxis: LA Mayor Takes A Stand
“Humans of LA, not Robots of California!” – Mayor’s Shade Towards State Agency is Epically Rebellious
We all knew that tough gal Karen Bass, is not your average City Hall bigwig. Now, she’s chosen to create a tectonic shift, suggesting that Los Angeles — not some obscure state agency — should have the authority to decide the future of robotaxi services expansion within city boundaries. It’s like LA Game of Thrones, except with fewer dragons and more driverless cars.
TechCrunch? More Like TechSpill
As reported in TechCrunch, Mayor Bass has dialed it up a notch. She implies that the city’s robotaxi regulations should be closer to the community, rather than decided by state tech nerds sipping on their cold brew. LA streets aren’t just PixelArt for the birds-eye view of Google Maps; they’re home to millions. A silent rise of the machines just won’t cut it, folks.
Moving Beyond LA: The Impact Beyond The Hollywood Sign
While it’s easy to think this is all about LA and robotaxis, there’s a hint of Universal Picture’s plot happening here. This battle between local and state authority could potentially dictate the course for other tech innovations across the nation. If LA succeeds in this power shift, future Marty McFly-ish innovations might find themselves regulated closer to home. So we may not have hoverboards just yet, but at least your local government might decide where you can use them when they arrive.
Taking a Spin in the Hot Take Cab:
We can already see the next action blockbuster – “Fast & Furious: Robotaxi Revolution” where Vin Diesel has to navigate through LA’s autonomous vehicles while Mayor Bass fights for control. Jokes aside, Bass’s call might be the start of a dramatically refreshing era, with cities directly steering their technological future. Let’s just hope the robotaxis don’t turn into Transformers before we get there!
Original article: https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/02/los-angeles-demands-robotaxi-rulemaking-powers/
