New Rules Set For Fully Autonomous Car Testing — Free Rides Ahead For Passengers

The autonomous cars will be tested in California without any drivers, passengers can ride only if it is free of cost.

By Promeet

An autonomous car is basically a self-driving vehicle that is capable of sensing its environment and navigating without any human input.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

These cars use a variety of techniques to detect their surroundings such as - radar, laser light, GPS, odometry, cameras and computer vision.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

Currently, many companies are coming up with their self-driving cars and in the near future, the mode of transport will be completely safe and computerized.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

Now, California will soon be updating its regulations on the autonomous vehicle testing. Very soon, companies that are testing these vehicles will be allowed to do so without the presence of a human driver.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

On the other hand, during testing, the vehicles can pick up passengers and drop then to their desired destinations, but, this will only be done as long as the ride is free of cost.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

The state Department of Motor Vehicles is renewing its regulations regarding the testing of autonomous driving technology, which has not been done since 2014.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

Moreover, the state asked the 31 companies testing such vehicles to have a human backup driver just in case it becomes necessary. Uber is one such company which was picking up passengers during the test of the vehicles with the presence of a human.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

But then, it had to be stopped. Now, according to the new rules, the fully autonomous cars (without and human presence) will be picking up passengers and dropping to their destination.

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

The new rule states, "'Passenger' means an occupant of a vehicle who has no role in the operation of that vehicle when the autonomous technology is engaged. A passenger may summon a vehicle or input a destination, but does not engage the technology, monitor the vehicle, or drive or operate the vehicle."

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

It further stated, "A member of the public may ride as a passenger in an autonomous test vehicle if there are no fees charged to the passenger or compensation received by the manufacturer."

California Sets New Rules For Autonomous Car Testing — No Driver, Will Passengers Be Safe?

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Read more on: #auto news
Article Published On: Tuesday, March 14, 2017, 14:44 [IST]
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