Long-haul deliveries by self-driving trucks will soon be possible thanks to draft regulations released by the California Department of Motor Vehicles on Friday regarding the operation of autonomous vehicles on roads.
A framework that would initially need safety drivers for both light- and heavy-duty operations is being planned by the state agency.
Up to October 14, the DMV is taking written comments on the draft’s text.
WHY IT’S ESSENTIAL
The proposed laws are being released at a time when safety authorities are closely monitoring autonomous driving technology due to a number of incidents and mishaps utilizing the technology.
In addition to posing a danger to truck jobs, if the laws are passed, autonomous trucking firms stand to gain greatly from them. These startups are banking on the technology to develop and thrive.
SUBTLETY
Autonomous vehicles from companies like Alphabet have had run-ins with regulators, as well as Waymo and General Motors’ Cruise over events involving their autonomous vehicles.
A Cruise vehicle was involved in a major collision in San Francisco last year that resulted in the business pulling around a thousand cars from the road.
Earlier this year, a Waymo car had hit a cyclist at a downtown crossroads.
Delivering goods along prearranged routes has proven to be a successful use case for autonomous trucks.
Laptops 1000Businesses such as Waabi use safety drivers to drive autonomous trucks in designated commercial lanes while transporting freight for Uber, which creates new routes between Dallas and Houston, Texas.
REACTION
There has been a range of responses to the proposed regulations. According to the Teamsters Union, the regulations are a threat to public safety and employment.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brienaid said, “The regulations insult California workers who already fear losing their jobs to automation.”
Contrarily, the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association hailed the draft directive as “an important step for the future of supply chain resiliency and roadway safety in California.”
