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Michigan Lets Autonomous Cars On Roads Without Human Driver (go.com)

Companies can now test self-driving cars on Michigan public roads without a driver or steering wheel under new laws that could push the state to the forefront of autonomous vehicle development. From a report on ABC: The package of bills signed into law Friday comes with few specific state regulations and leaves many decisions up to automakers and companies like Google and Uber. It also allows automakers and tech companies to run autonomous taxi services and permits test parades of self-driving tractor-trailers as long as humans are in each truck. And they allow the sale of self-driving vehicles to the public once they are tested and certified, according to the state. The bills allow testing without burdensome regulations so the industry can move forward with potential life-saving technology, said Gov. Rick Snyder, who was to sign the bills. "It makes Michigan a place where particularly for the auto industry it's a good place to do work," he said.

3 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. Good for everyone. by Mal-2 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is actually good news for everyone, not just people in Michigan. If self-driving vehicles can deal with the weather conditions there, they should be able to deal with them in the rest of the country, and most other countries as well. Sunny days in California don't expose the hazards posed by rain, snow, slush, and black ice.

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    How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
    1. Re:Good for everyone. by danbert8 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      As opposed to the barely tested teen drivers learning how to drive in hazardous conditions while playing Pokemon Go?

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      Yes it's an anecdote! Were you expecting original research in a Slashdot comment?
    2. Re:Good for everyone. by 0100010001010011 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Your entire existence and life is built on previous generations making the exact same gamble. If you don't like it go live in a hut in the woods.

      Unless you think that Steam boilers were the pinnacle of human safety systems.