Saturday

07-05-2025 Vol 2012

The Challenges of Introducing Self-Driving Cars in Boston

As discussions around self-driving cars continue to gain traction, Boston’s unique traffic conditions raise significant concerns among experts and potential service providers alike.

Reddit users reflect the skepticism on this front, with one noting the impossibility of navigating Boston’s notorious traffic with autonomous technology.

Waymo, known for its limited ride-hailing services in various cities including San Francisco, has yet to announce plans for expansions to Boston.

This delay has prompted some to speculate about the feasibility of self-driving vehicles on the city’s convoluted road systems.

According to Ben Bauchwitz, a scientist at Charles River Analytics, the challenges are profound.

He points out that local rotaries, which are abundant in the area, could become a significant hurdle for driverless vehicles.

“If you literally just yielded there until there was a gap, you might be sitting at the roundabout for two hours,” he commented, reflecting on the difficulties of strict adherence to traffic rules.

Moreover, Bauchwitz highlights the winter weather challenges that could impede functionality.

Snowbanks, in particular, pose risks as they can reflect light and confuse vehicle sensors.

This has been evidenced by some local Tesla drivers who faced difficulties while using their vehicles’ self-driving systems during snowy conditions.

The attempt to develop successful self-driving vehicles has also faced headwinds in Boston’s local startup scene.

Perceptive Automata, a company working on software for autonomous vehicles to better understand human drivers, ceased operations last year due to funding challenges.

Similarly, Optimus Ride was acquired by Magna International, and nuTonomy also underwent a merger, highlighting the tumultuous nature of the industry.

Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope emerging from Boston’s tech community.

In April, ISEE, a Cambridge-based startup, secured a deal to integrate its self-driving software into trucks manufactured by Georgia-based TICO, focusing on ports and freight yards.

Last month, Motional announced a leadership change, promoting Laura Major to chief executive.

Major, an MIT graduate, has experience in the field, having previously worked at an autonomous drone startup, and at Draper Laboratory, where she focused on technology for military and space applications.

Motional’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars have begun testing on highways in Las Vegas and Pittsburgh, signaling some progression in their development cycle.

Although Motional declined to comment recently, the company stated that it plans to launch a driverless ride-hailing service next year.

Additionally, the EV delivery van startup IndiGO based in Woburn has made strides by acquiring Clevon, an Estonian autonomous technology firm that operates in the U.S.

IndiGO’s chief executive, Will Graylin, expressed optimism about integrating Clevon’s capabilities into their EVs, which would offer both autonomous and remotely operated vehicles.

However, Graylin acknowledged the need for additional technology to analyze road conditions, as Clevon’s systems do not currently facilitate this functionality.

Experts like Bauchwitz remain hopeful about the future of autonomous ride services in Boston.

He suggests that Waymo may eventually overcome data challenges to navigate the city’s streets effectively.

Yet, he warns that the behavior of human drivers remains a significant variable.

“There’s a concern about creating a situation where autonomous cars are a nuisance,” Bauchwitz said, emphasizing the importance of balancing technology with the realities of human driving behaviors.

With extensive hurdles still ahead, the development of self-driving car services in Boston promises to be a complex and evolving journey.

image source from:bostonglobe

Charlotte Hayes