California had set some new rules for conducting test for self-driving vehicles. This mandate, however, had been protested against by Alphabet, Inc. and some car manufacturers. These carmakers alleged that the provisions in the new regulation code cripples their hard work in coming up with this special innovation in the automobile industry.
The protesters brought up a list of all their worried about the state government’s proposal during a session on Wednesday. They do not agree that the guidelines that had been previously issued in the previous month by federal regulators should be made compulsory. It was originally just a voluntary prescription.
Why should the state of California require a data recorder for this self-driving cars? Why data is needed to be allowed to conduct such tests? These were some of the questions raised by the demonstrators. They also asserted that such rule could cause a year-long delay in the release of these vehicles. Hence, it could greatly affect their business operations.
The carmakers also questioned the rights of policemen in this matter. Should these cops be allowed to collect data from this self-driving cars without a warrant or subpoena? Will they be able to get it within twenty-four hours?
State regulations and policy are extremely important for auto manufacturers as well as technology firms because it makes a deep impact on its state operations. The state of California is highly influential state. Whatever policies it legislates may invoke other states as well as other countries to follow suit.
In this proposal, car manufacturers in California are required to submit an entire year of data from their conducted tests on self – driving cars. This regulation had been strongly objected by many large car manufacturing firms such as General Motors, Volkswagen, Honda and Ford. Google also joined in the protest.
The state’s new rule can notably hinder the success of the operation of self – driving cars in assuring the safety and mobility of human beings when on the road. The head of Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets had argued.
The Department of Motor Vehicles in California, represented by its deputy director, Brian Soublet, had requested that these protesters provided them with substantial solutions to improve their proposal. They will consider changes to the rule in next few months. No deadline had been set just yet.
The government agrees with the mission of the coalition to create safer streets. The proposal would enable automatic cars to run on the streets without a human driver. However, the state had also proposed the requirement of a licensed driver and necessary controls on these self-driving cars.
Ron Medford opposes the requirement of local permit for manufacturers to conduct tests on these self-steering vehicles. He argues that it restricts carmakers from checking the capability of the vehicle from one area to another.
On the other hand, the advocacy group, Consumer Watchdog, implores the state of California to impede the operation of autonomous cars without human drivers. At least, until standards are properly set by federal regulators.
