Tesla announced that it is seeking a driver in New York to test its assisted driving technology, with an eye toward autonomous driving, according to a job posting, AFP reported. The position, “Vehicle Operator, Autopilot,” requires operating an “engineering vehicle” for extended periods while dynamically collecting audio and video data for testing and training purposes.

The job is based in Flushing, Queens, New York, and the described duties remain far from providing an autonomous service or robotaxi in the city. Currently, New York state law limits the use of autonomous vehicles to testing only. Waymo announced in June that it had submitted an application for a self-driving car testing permit.

Billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk describes the company as ready for potential rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles, emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence to analyze data from the existing fleet.

In June, Tesla launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, following multiple delays. During a July conference call, Musk predicted that Tesla “will likely offer autonomous services to half of the U.S. population by the end of the year” — an ambitious goal that seems unlikely. He added that deployment depends on regulatory approvals and that the company is acting “very cautiously” due to safety concerns. |BGNES