Waymo starting to map Chicago streets for possible operations of self-driving cars in area

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The autonomous driving company Waymo announced Wednesday they will begin mapping Chicago's streets.

The company said they will begin early data collection to lay the groundwork for operating its self-driving cars in Chicago.

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"The Waymo Driver is a generalizable, AI-first technology designed to adapt to complex urban environments - from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather," the company said in a post.

Autonomous vehicles are not authorized in Chicago or Illinois yet. But the mayor's office says it's ready to engage with commuters, advocates and industry leaders, to find an equitable path forward.