Managing these vehicles in smaller areas is particularly easier as compared to managing them on public roads, plus they will need a lot more licensing and proofs that their self-driving cars will not be a road hazard. The anonymous source describing these plans did not offer many details, but said the service will launch next year and that San Francisco and Austin would be “logical” places to launch it, because Google already tests its cars in those cities.
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In addition, the regulations state that manufacturers will be approved for a three-year deployment permit, which will require them to regularly report on the performance, safety, and usage of autonomous vehicles.
The human driver also needs to acquire a state-issued “autonomous vehicle operator certificate”, so that he can take over the wheels when it becomes necessary.
In a written statement, Alphabet spokesperson Johnny Luu states: “Safety is our highest priority and primary motivator as we do this”.
The first draft of California’s proposed requirements for the public use of autonomous vehicles has been met with disappointment by Google.
“Given the potential risks associated with deployment of such a new technology, [the] DMV believes that manufacturers need to obtain more experience in testing driverless vehicles on public roads prior to making this technology available to the general public”, the agency said today.
Google has expressed severe dissatisfaction with the newly-drafted regulations regarding self-driving cars that were published on Wednesday by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
With regards to privacy and cyber-security, not only must manufacturers let the DMV know if any information is to be collected other than that required to safely operate their autonomous cars, they must also seek permission to collect the additional information.
The DMV also wants to require a steering wheel and brake pedal.
What makes Google “gravely disappointed” is that after years of hard work, it designed a prototype two-person vehicle that won’t have a steering wheel or pedals in final form. Last month, one of Google’s vehicles being beta-tested in Mountain View was pulled over by cops for driving too slowly and holding up traffic.
This slightly dampens hopes that self-driving technology would enable those who are now unable to drive – such as people with disabilities – to get on the roads.
Nevertheless, any rule adopted by California will have significant impact on the future of autonomous cars.
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Google, which sees itself as leading the autonomous auto derby, reacted negatively. The workshops will be held in Sacramento on January 28, 2016, and in Los Angeles on February 2, 2016. Even then, of course, there may be opportunities for the regulations to be revised to allow for the roll-out of fully driverless autonomous cars on California’s roads.
