Self-Driving Cars Coming to Charlotte

Start your engines, or maybe not yourself. Driverless vehicles will soon be hitting the streets of Charlotte. Recently, residents saw a fleet of Waymo vehicles in Uptown Charlotte.

Reports say that a Reddit post discussed spotting Waymo cars near the Carolina Panthers' practice field. Waymo is a fully autonomous ride-hailing service. Riders can use the Waymo app to hail a vehicle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Riders can get a clean vehicle every time and arrive at their next destination.

“Wherever North Carolinians are traveling, safe and reliable transportation is essential,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a release. “We are eager to see how Waymo’s expansion into Charlotte can increase accessibility, modernize transportation, and create safer roads.”   

In 2017, the North Carolina General Assembly passeda law allowing autonomous vehicles and preventing local governments and their restrictions.

“Charlotte is a world-class city that embraces innovation and the opportunity to move forward,” said Mayor Vi Lyles. “This announcement reflects our tireless dedication for expanded mobility, and we believe Charlotte is an excellent choice for Waymo's next destination."

There may be some minor challenges when it comes to construction and delays in the city. But residents are both excited and nervous to see how things will turn out.

For details, click here for the full report from WCNC.