An onboard safety driver must now be present in all autonomous taxis operating within Minneapolis after a recent city council decision. The regulation, which passed on September 29 in a 7-4 vote, mandates that the human monitor be physically situated in the driver's seat with immediate access to the vehicle's steering, braking, and acceleration controls.

During testimony before the council, a father argued that fully driverless vehicles are essential for the independence of people with mobility-limiting diseases, such as his daughter. The vote faced criticism from social media users, with some characterizing the seven council members who supported the requirement as corrupt or stupid.