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CA DMV Releases Draft Requirements For Autonomous Vehicles On Public Streets

Posted by timothy on from the no-constant-honking-please dept.

kheldan writes: The California DMV will be allowing so-called 'autonomous cars' on the roads — with some restrictions. Namely: There must be a licensed driver behind the wheel at all times, alert and ready to take over on a moments notice, who additionally will be requried to obtain special training in the operation of the 'autonomous' vehicle they'll be driving; there must be extensive certification of the vehicle itself, subject to a three-year 'deployment permit', and re-evaluation of the vehicles' performance after that time; and there must be proof from the manufacturer that the vehicle is safe from cyber-attack. Those are the highlights; the full text of the press release is here, on the Calfornia DMV website, and the DMV is encouraging the public to attend workshops in January to discuss the draft regulations.

6 of 139 comments (clear)

  1. Really??? by bobthesungeek76036 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ... and there must be proof from the manufacturer that the vehicle is safe from cyber-attack...

    Good luck with that one....

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  2. I suppose this is how we'll transition by rsilvergun · · Score: 3, Insightful

    To driverless cars. They'll be a driver with the minimal amount of training needed to handle an emergency and the rest gets home by computer. In 30 years the computer will be better at handling the emergencies and the driver will get the boot. My question is what are we gonna do with all the out of work truck drivers. Your not gonna retrain them, there's only so much they can do.

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    1. Re:I suppose this is how we'll transition by Lendrick · · Score: 5, Insightful

      During the day and in fair weather, google's cars are already safer than humans.

      Given that truck driving accounts for like 5% of the American workforce, I think we're going to have to accept at some point that truck driving and a lot of other skilled professions are eventually going to be automated away, and adjust our economy accordingly, and that includes not punishing the unemployed with the threat of starvation and homelessness.

  3. Re:Can the autonomous vehicle pass a drivers test? by bws111 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Because the drivers test does not cover everything you will encounter. For example, the other day I was parked in a parking deck at an event. The event ended, and everyone started to leave. But there was some problem near the exit. So they had a cop standing at a different part of the garage, motioning for people to ignore the 'exit' signs, and to drive back down the entrance ramp the wrong way. This put you on a one-way street also heading the wrong way. No problem, because the cops blocked the street. They then motioned you the wrong way down yet another one-way street, where you finally joined up with the normal traffic.

    All that is covered by 'follow the directions of the police'. But is an autonomous vehicle going to understand the motions of an officer, and drive the wrong way on several streets? Humans had no problem with it.

  4. Obligatory Princess Bride reference by bbsguru · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Autonomous". You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means...

    So, "self-driving" cars will require licensed drivers with more qualifications than every other car on the road. Brilliant!

  5. Re:So what? by queazocotal · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Me, personally. Due to medical problems, I have reaction times that mean I cannot safely drive.
    Some sort of vehicle would be very handy.