California gives the green signal for driverless car testing
The state of California has made it legal for carmakers to test fully autonomous cars in select locations.
California has passed a bill allowing the testing of driverless cars on public roads in select locations.
The bill, which was approved at the end of September, permits companies to test autonomous cars without a driver and minus a steering wheel, brake pedal and accelerator pedal.
State authorities have included a series of conditions, the most notable being that the testing must take place “only at a privately owned business park designated by the authority, inclusive of public roads within the designated business park” and at speeds below 35mph/ only.
The car must have insurance – or equivalent – of at least $5 million (Rs 31.58 crore), as well as having been previously tested under controlled conditions prior to driving on permitted roads.
The bill also dictates that those running autonomous cars on the scheme must report any occasion upon which the autonomous system is deactivated, although in cars without a steering wheel or pedals, it is unclear what would happen to the car in the event of this.
California’s bill is believed to be the first of its type globally. Other recently announced autonomous car testing schemes have not included the legal allowance of there being no driver behind the wheel and no driver inputs, either by pedals or a steering wheel.
Read more: Renault-Nissan and Microsoft partner to develop next-gen connected driving technologies
RELATED ARTICLES
Audi Q6L e-tron, Q5 e-tron RS, SQ6 coming to Beijing motor show 2024
Long-wheelbase Audi Q6 e-tron, SQ6 based on PPE platform.
Sona Comstar opens new plant in Mexico to cater to growing EV demand in N America
The new facility, set up to meet the growing demand for high-quality driveline solutions for BEVs in North America, will...
Earth Day 2024: each day is about reducing emissions and saving Planet Earth
Earth Day is every day, and anywhere you are. And in a time of climate change, it’s the last call for a healthier planet...