Robotaxis multiply, regulators scramble to set the rules

Robotaxis are expanding across U.S. cities, but a patchwork of state and local rules, union opposition, and safety concerns are shaping how quickly fleets grow. While companies like Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla push for clearer federal and local oversight and funding for transit and worker retraining, regulators are weighing testing requirements, first-responder coordination, and vehicle-safety standards, all amid worries about jobs, urban mobility, and the pace of deployment.