Privacy

California Revamps Its Rulebook for Autonomous Cars; Totally Driverless Tests May Start Soon

March 13, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>California residents could be traveling in fully autonomous cars by the end of the year. And by that we mean people who aren’t just test engineers from the more than two dozen companies currently testing self-driving vehicles in the state, but regular members of the public. These folks could soon get their first experience with a technology that industry leaders have promised will transform the way we move around.</p>

California to Ok Self-Driving Cars Without Human Controllers Onboard

March 13, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>It’s official; California cars don’t need brake pedals or steering wheels to be street legal because self-driving robocars are about to hit the road.</p> <p>The California DMV proposed dropping the human driver requirement for self-driving cars Friday and even gave autonomous car companies the option to remove steering wheels and brake pedals from their vehicles.</p>

Driver-Optional Cars: Once-Reluctant California Opens A Road

March 13, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>LOS ANGELES (AP) - Cars with no steering wheel, no pedals and nobody at all inside could be driving themselves on California roads by the end of the year, under proposed state rules that would give a powerful boost to the fast-developing technology.</p> <p>For the past several years, tech companies and automakers have been testing self-driving car prototypes in neighborhoods and on freeways. But regulators insisted those vehicles have steering wheels, pedals and human backup drivers who could take over in an emergency.</p>

Analysis: Autonomous Vehicles Not Ready for Deployment Without Drivers to Grab the Wheel

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p> </p> <p>Disengagement reports from companies testing autonomous cars on California’s public roads show that driverless vehicles are not ready to be deployed without human drivers who can take control when the self-driving technology fails, according to the group Consumer Watchdog.</p>

Uber Brings Driverless Cars Back to California

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The California Department of Motor Vehicles issued a permit for self-driving cars to Uber Wednesday, representing yet another step toward diffusing the strident battle the ride-hail giant fought against its home state last December.</p> <p>The permit will allow for the testing of two driverless vehicles – 2017 Volvo XC90s – the same cars involved in last year’s fracas between the DMV and the ride-hail company.</p>

Wolverton: Republicans Aim to Roll Back Online Privacy Protections

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Republicans in Washington are showing they really don’t care much about your online privacy.</p>

Despite Motorists’ Fears, Uber Gets Permission to Deploy Self-Driving Cars

March 10, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>The same week that the Department of Motor Vehicles gave Uber permission to deploy two self-driving vehicles on California streets, an AAA survey revealed Americans are anything but comfortable riding in cars that have a robot behind the wheel.</p> <p>The Auto Club revealed that three-quarters of U.S. drivers fear riding in self-driving cars; a majority (54 percent) feel less safe sharing the road with them. Baby boomer drivers were the most likely (85 percent) to express fear of riding in autonomous cars, the survey found.</p>

Uber Gains Permit for Self-Driving Car Tests in California; consumer group skeptical

March 9, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Uber's self-driving cars will return to California's streets, though the ride-hailing company doesn't immediately plan to pick up passengers.</p> <p>Uber received a permit Wednesday to test two Volvo SUVs on public roads, the California Department of Motor Vehicles said. Regulators also approved 48 people as backup drivers who must sit behind the wheel in case the prototype cars malfunction, agency spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said.</p>

Uber’s Autonomous Cars Heading Back to California

March 9, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Hammered for months over a variety of ethical and legal slips, ride-sharing giant Uber appears to be taking steps to soften its macho corporate image while also being more cooperative with regulators.</p>

Uber scores permit to test self-driving cars in California

March 8, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Uber’s self-driving Volvos are finally street-legal.</p> <p>Well, two of them are, anyway.</p> <p>The ride-hailing startup on Wednesday received a permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that allows it to test two self-driving cars on public roads, a DMV spokeswoman said. The permit covers 48 drivers for the two cars.</p> <p>Uber says its self-driving cars are not back on the road yet, and it has no plans to resume its pilot program picking up passengers.</p>

Congressional Move to Invalidate Privacy Regs Introduced

March 8, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>Sen. Jeff Flake today (March 8) ihas introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to invalidate the FCC's broadband privacy rules, according to a source.</p>

Uber to apply for California permit to test self-driving cars

March 2, 2017  ·  Evan Thomas King

<p>SAN FRANCISCO — In a surprising about-face, Uber said Thursday it will apply for the state permit needed to legally test its self-driving cars here — a step the company previously had refused to take.</p>