The future of transportation came to life on the Quad at Bronx Community College (BCC) yesterday, where students, faculty, and industry partners gathered for a landmark event showcasing BCC’s expanded partnership with Waymo, the world’s leading autonomous driving technology company.

Waymo’s sleek self-driving Jaguar I-PACE — the same model used in its commercial ride-hailing fleet — drew students and onlookers as it rolled across the campus. The visit marked the next phase of collaboration between Waymo and BCC’s Automotive Technology Program, designed to give students direct access to the technology powering the next generation of mobility.

The demonstration was more than a display of innovation — it was an educational milestone. The event introduced BCC’s plans to integrate autonomous vehicle systems training into its automotive technology curriculum, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with advanced driverless systems and electric vehicle technologies already reshaping the industry.

“By integrating Waymo’s autonomous technology into our curriculum, we’re not just teaching students how to service the vehicles of tomorrow—we’re preparing them to lead the future of mobility,” said Clement Drummond, Director of Automotive Technology at BCC.

Drummond, who oversaw the creation of the college’s state-of-the-art Patterson Garage, emphasized how the partnership builds on years of investment in electric and autonomous vehicle instruction. The program already offers courses in Electric Vehicle Technology, Autonomous Vehicle Systems, and Electric Vehicle Performance and Diagnosis — skills increasingly sought by employers.

Matt Walsh, Waymo’s Regional Head of State & Local Public Policy for the East, highlighted how partnerships like this support both innovation and opportunity. “We believe autonomous vehicles will make roads safer and transportation more accessible, as well as create tens of thousands of jobs—from fleet operations to automotive maintenance and engineering,” Walsh said. “We want to help prepare students to take advantage of opportunities at all levels in the autonomous vehicle industry, and we’re proud to partner with Bronx Community College to prepare future generations for success.”
Waymo’s visit follows the company’s recent approval from Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Department of Transportation to test its autonomous taxi service in Manhattan. That pilot project, running through the end of 2025, represents a pivotal step toward bringing driverless technology to the nation’s largest city — and BCC is ensuring its students are ready for it.

“As autonomous vehicle technology arrives in NYC, it’s critical our local workforce is ready,” said Matthew W. Daus, Chair of Transportation Technology at the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at City College of New York. “This program will create jobs for new graduates and offer retraining and new career opportunities for current automotive and for-hire transportation workers. BCC is leading the way in preparing workers with the skills needed for this evolving industry.”

Dr. Camille Kamga, UTRC Director, added that this collaboration is about more than technology — it’s about people. “Our partnership is not just about developing an automated driving curriculum; it’s about strategically preparing our students to lead the mobility revolution that will redefine how our communities live, work, and move.”

Throughout the day, students explored the autonomous vehicle up close, asking questions about sensors, navigation systems, and diagnostics. For many, the experience made abstract lessons tangible — transforming the Quad into a dynamic learning space that demonstrated where classroom theory meets real-world innovation.

BCC’s partnership with Waymo reinforces the college’s commitment to career-ready education and its leadership in the field of electric and autonomous vehicle training. It also reflects BCC’s proud Bronx identity: resilient, forward-looking, and determined to put students in the driver’s seat of the industries of tomorrow.

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