California to Ban Driverless Cars Unless a Driver is Behind the Wheel

Not too long ago, Google revealed it was developing autonomous cars without steering wheels or brake pedals. But now that the California DMV has proposed stricter rules on driverless cars, it looks like Google has hit a stumbling block.

“A licensed operator will be required to be present inside the [autonomous] vehicle and be capable of taking control in the event of a technology failure or other emergency,” the DMV said in a proposal issued earlier this week. That means self-driver cars will need actual drivers in the front seat, and thus, proper brakes and steering wheels.

California has already ruled that experimental autonomous vehicles on public roads must have a driver behind the wheel at all times for testing purposes, but the new proposal would issue restrictions on driverless cars for the longer haul. As we reported earlier, Google apparently has plans to use its autonomous vehicles to compete with Uber, offering rides to passengers on a shared mobility basis. While California remains a hotbed for Google’s autonomous vehicle technologies for now, the company could shift its focus to Texas to potentially dodge strict requirements.

The DMV argues that the new rules were designed to “promote the continued development of autonomous vehicle technology in California, while transitioning manufacturers from testing to deployment of self-driving cars.” Developers of autonomous technology, however, argue that the DMV’s proposal may slow down the rollout of new technologies. In a statement, Google expressed its disapproval.

“Safety is our highest priority and primary motivator as we do this,” Google spokesman Johnny Luu wrote in a statement. ”We’re gravely disappointed that California is already writing a ceiling on the potential for fully self-driving cars to help all of us who live here.”

Another part of the proposal requires driverless cars to come equipped with technology for preventing cyber-attacks. In addition to this regulation, autonomous cars must also undergo third-party testing to ensure that they meets meet certain performance and safety requirements. As long as automakers regularly report on the performance and usage of their autonomous vehicles, the DMV will issue them three-year operating permits.

The DMV is seeking input from the public before it makes any final decisions on the matter. The agency has scheduled two meetings, one in Sacramento and Los Angeles, to obtain feedback from drivers.

Source: DMV, Automotive News (Subscription required)

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