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Waymo Global Head of Public Policy Justin Kintz Advocates for Federal Oversight of Expanding Robotaxi Fleets

Waymo global head of public policy Justin Kintz stated that while robotaxis are powered by incredible technology, they still require oversight from the federal government, states, and cities in the same way that human drivers are managed today. As robotaxis expand across the US, the industry faces a growing debate over safety, regulation, and economic impact. While the administration announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently warned autonomous-vehicle companies about the need for safe interaction with first responders, Waymo and other companies like Zoox are seeking clearer rules to avoid a patchwork of confusing local laws. Justin Kintz noted that Waymo supports the principle of raising revenue for transit and affected workers, but expressed concern that a per-mile charge could become prohibitively expensive for smaller operators. The company also aims to complement public transit rather than undermine it, while acknowledging that automation will eventually displace some driving jobs, creating a need for unions and companies to work together on retraining programs.

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