Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Narrow roads, unexpected turns, disruptive construction and cross-when-you-dare pedestrian behavior all make driving in Boston a challenge for even the most skilled human drivers. So, what happens if Boston drivers are no longer in the driver's seat? In this episode of The Curiosity Desk, Edgar B. Herwick III takes Jinhua Zhao, director of MIT's Transit Lab, for a ride to explore the technology, safety concerns and promise of self-driving technology now being tested on Boston streets.
00:00 Intro
00:55 Waymo in Boston
1:20 Driverless Curiosity Desk?
1:45 Is the tech ready?
2:00 Boston's unique challenges
3:15 Large language model (LLM)
4:05 Snow!
5:00 Learning the norm
5:23 Boston City Council hearing on Waymo vehicles
6:30 It's coming
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Narrow roads, unexpected turns, disruptive construction and cross-when-you-dare pedestrian behavior all make driving in Boston a challenge for even the most skilled human drivers. So, what happens if Boston drivers are no longer in the driver's seat? In this episode of The Curiosity Desk, Edgar B. Herwick III takes Jinhua Zhao, director of MIT's Transit Lab, for a ride to explore the technology, safety concerns and promise of self-driving technology now being tested on Boston streets.
00:00 Intro
00:55 Waymo in Boston
1:20 Driverless Curiosity Desk?
1:45 Is the tech ready?
2:00 Boston's unique challenges
3:15 Large language model (LLM)
4:05 Snow!
5:00 Learning the norm
5:23 Boston City Council hearing on Waymo vehicles
6:30 It's coming
GBH News wants to hear from YOU! We are conducting our annual audience survey 📝 bit.ly/3ZQXSQr. This will help us understand your interests and what you want to see more of from us. It only takes a few minutes, and we are grateful for your input. 🙌
GBH News is a premier source for in-depth local news and original story telling based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Subscribe to the GBH News YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/gbhnews?sub_confirmation=1
Subscribe to our GBH Daily newsletter at wgbh.org/daily?utm_Newsletter=GBH_Daily_YouTube_CTA
Follow GBH News on Instagram: instagram.com/gbhnews
Like GBH News on Facebook: facebook.com/gbhnews
Follow GBH News on X: twitter.com/GBHNews
Visit our website: wgbh.org/news
Support GBH and help shape a future where facts matter, stories unite us, and everyone has access to quality media. Join us. Fund the Future: bit.ly/FundtheFutureYT
