Can you imagine coming across a driverless car on 9 de Julio Avenue or having a small robot on wheels deliver a package to you? It won’t happen tomorrow, but the first step has already been taken: the City of Buenos Aires has authorized, for the first time, tests of self-driving cars and delivery robots on the streets. Companies and developers who want to participate will be able to apply for permission to test these technologies, though only in controlled areas and along designated routes. Here’s how the new system will work and what’s needed before testing can begin.
Self-driving cars in Buenos Aires: what the new regulation says
For the first time, Buenos Aires has allowed companies and developers to apply for permits to test self-driving cars, delivery robots, and other automated devices on the city’s streets. The measure was established in Resolution 170/SECT/26, published in the Official Gazette on August 18.
That said, there’s one key requirement for the cars: only SAE J3016 Level 4 vehicles will be allowed, which means the car can drive 100% autonomously within the authorized zone.
This development sparks an inevitable debate: Who would be at fault if a self-driving car were involved in an accident? If you want to put that ethical discussion into practice, there’s an immersive experience in Buenos Aires where you become a juror to decide, precisely, the verdict in a case of this kind.
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What the first autonomous vehicle tests will look like
To participate, companies must submit a project proposal and request authorization. The Secretariat of Transportation will be responsible for evaluating each proposal in collaboration with the Road Safety and Mobility departments.
Authorized vehicles must comply with technical standards and include:
👉 Onboard data-logging systems, to record what happens during each test.
👉 Specific insurance policies and a liability framework in case of potential malfunctions or accidents.
👉 Safety measures to specifically protect pedestrians, cyclists, and people with limited mobility.
In any case, operation will be limited to controlled areas and conditions. The goal is to evaluate how the technology performs in real-world traffic and gather key data to develop definitive regulations for the future.
Robots to deliver, clean, and maintain the city
If you thought the news ended with driverless cars, there’s more: autonomous ground drones are also entering the picture—small wheeled robots capable of performing various tasks without the need for constant human supervision.
What could they be used for?
👉 Package delivery and home deliveries.
👉 Transporting light cargo.
👉 Cleaning and maintenance of public spaces.
👉 Infrastructure inspection and urban monitoring .
They’ll navigate sidewalks, parks, and logistics zones using artificial intelligence, LiDAR sensors, and GPS to map their surroundings.
But it won’t be a “free-for-all”: to take to the streets, they’ll have to comply with strict safety, data protection, and technological sustainability standards, in addition to having liability insurance.
When will the first tests of driverless cars begin in Buenos Aires?
For now, there is no official date or schedule. The city also hasn’t specified in which neighborhoods the first tests will begin.
The resolution establishes the general framework and requirements for the call for proposals. From now on, interested companies will have to submit their projects and await approval from the Buenos Aires City Government before taking to the streets.
