California Goes Driverless

Yesterday California took a step further towards delving
into an automation nation when the DMV announced that as of April 2
completely driverless cars will be allowed to roam California
roadways. Previously, manufacturers of autonomous vehicles and
companies wishing to use the technology could only do so as long as
there was a human driver behind the wheel. However, with the
passing of new driverless regulations by the California Office of
Administrative Law, automobile manufactures and tech companies can
test and deploy self-driving vehicles as long as they meet and
obtain the proper permits.
Part of the requirements for the driverless testing
permit is that manufacturers must: certify the autonomous test
vehicle complies with requirements that include a communication
link between the vehicle and remote operator, a process to
communicate between the vehicle and law enforcement, and an
explanation of how the manufacturer will monitor test vehicles. For
the deployment permit (public use of driverless cars) manufacturers
must: certify the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous vehicle
data recorder, the technology is designed to detect and respond to
roadway situations in compliance with California Vehicle Code, and
the vehicle complies with all FMVSS or provide evidence of an
exemption from NHTSA. As well as Certify the vehicle meets current
industry standards to help defend against, detect and respond to
cyber-attacks, unauthorized intrusions or false vehicle control
commands.
That last bit is the scariest as we
have seen what hackers and nefarious individuals can do just by
getting into an email or massive data base of personal information,
so imagine what the outcome could be if they were to take over a
fleet of driverless vehicles on the 405 during rush hour?
Things will get real weird real quick for California drivers and
motorcyclists as you can only image operators will probably be
stunned and distracted to watch a completely empty vehicle pass
them in the fast lane. Who will change the tire when the car has a
blowout in the middle of the Orange Crush at 7am?
How long
will it be before we are seeing Yamaha's
Motobot slithering up and down The Snake on Mulholland or a
rider-less, self-balancing
Honda zipping around town delivering Panda Express? So many
questions, but the real question is, who will now make the excuse
"sorry officer I didn't see him/her" when the driverless car makes
a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcyclists?
We are entering interesting times, that's for sure!
The entire press release from the DMV can be read
here.