Alphabet's autonomous taxi venture, Waymo, has announced its intention to relaunch its taxi service in New York City next month. This announcement has temporarily dampened the share prices of Uber and Lyft. Waymo has been actively engaged in mapping and data collection in parts of Manhattan since 2021, and this return signifies a step forward in refining these efforts. Initially, Waymo's vehicles will be staffed with human drivers, adhering to New York state laws that currently prohibit fully autonomous vehicles on public roads. Nonetheless, Waymo is actively advocating for legal changes and is in the process of applying for a permit in New York City, with aspirations to eventually offer driverless taxi services. The company already operates commercial driverless taxi services in other cities, boasting a fleet of over 1,500 vehicles that facilitate more than 250,000 paid trips each week.