Privacy

Government Paves Way For Driverless Cars To Hit The Roads

September 20, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>To fast-track to a future where cars drive themselves, the freewheeling tech world and the historically buttoned-up auto industry joined forces to develop autonomous vehicles.</p> <p>But behind the rapid-fire innovation of the last few years, questions loomed over whether the federal government would welcome the complete overhaul of driving as we know it — or if it would put up regulatory roadblocks to slow the industry's efforts.</p>

Consumers’ group wants Uber to publicize self-driving tests

September 20, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<section class="entry-content" id="entry-content" itemprop="articleBody"> <p>Uber has started to <a href="http://readwrite.com/2016/08/19/uber-volvo-partnership-tl4/">integrate self-driving Volvo XC90 cars</a> into its Pittsburgh ride-hailing fleet this month, a noticeably large leap for a company that only started to work on autonomous cars last year.</p>

New Federal Guidelines Push Self-Driving Cars and Trucks

September 20, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The Obama administration issued its policy for autonomous cars and trucks Tuesday, giving vehicle manufacturers wide latitude to develop technology the government believes will enhance safety by eventually <a href="https://www.trucks.com/2016/05/27/self-driving-trucks-need-react-like-animals/">replacing human drivers with computers</a>.</p>

NHTSA Releases First US Federal Guidelines For Self-Driving Cars

September 20, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Washington, DC -- September 20, 2016 --</strong> Our neighbours to the south have rolled out official guidelines for the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Among other items, the guidelines propose more government involvement in the design of these systems, and calls on manufacturers to share more information on the details of these systems, including why they sometimes fail.</p>

U.S. Aims To Tame ‘Wild West’ Of Self-Driving Cars

September 20, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>SAN FRANCISCO - Self-driving car advocates and observers are reacting with cautious approval Tuesday to the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/09/19/feds-unveil-plan-ensure-safety-self-driving-cars/90710362/">government's 112-page directive</a> on the transformational technology.</p>

U.S. To Release Guidelines On Driverless Vehicles

September 19, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Any doubt that driverless cars, trucks and buses are on a fast track to join their human counterparts on the nation’s highways may be knocked aside Tuesday, when the Department of Transportation releases long-awaited guidelines for the development of autonomous cars.</p>

Self-Driving Cars Gain Powerful Ally: The Government

September 19, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="178" data-total-count="178">WASHINGTON — Federal auto safety regulators on Monday made it official: They are betting the nation’s highways will be safer with more cars driven by machines and not people.</p> <p class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="220" data-total-count="398">In long-awaited guidelines for the booming industry of automated vehicles, the Obama administration promised strong safety oversight, but sent a clear signal to automakers that the door was wide open for driverless cars.</p>

Hodgepodge Of Self-Driving Vehicle Laws Raises Safety Concerns

September 16, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The free rides in self-driving cars that Uber began offering in Pittsburgh Wednesday wouldn’t be allowed in California.</p> <p>In Michigan, legislators are considering changing a law that requires a safety driver to be behind the wheel of self-driving vehicles to handle unexpected or emergency situations.</p> <p>A Chicago alderman wants to ban them completely.</p>

Uber Won’t Need Permit From PUC For Self-Driving Cars Until It Starts Charging

September 15, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="NormalParagraphStyle">Uber can continue to offer rides in its fleet of self-driving cars in Pittsburgh without further permits as long as the trips remain free, according to a statement Thursday from the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission.</p> <p class="NormalParagraphStyle">The ride-sharing giant started offering rides in its self-driving Ford Fusions on Wednesday. The rides are free “for now,” according to the email sent to users selected to participate in the pilot.</p>

Unethical Relationships Between Google, Government Alleged

September 14, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog, a nonprofit consumer interests group, has urged President Obama and his administration to delay any regulation regarding autonomous vehicles. In a letter to the president, the consumer advocacy group claims newly discovered documents reveal an inappropriate relationship between Google and the feds.</p>

Tesla Contends With Another Fatal Model S Crash, Unsure If Autopilot Involved

September 14, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Tesla Motors, days after announcing upgrades to its semi-autonomous Autopilot driving system, confirmed that it’s reviewing an accident involving a Model S sedan in China that killed the son of the car’s owner early this year.</p>

For Some Safety Experts, Uber’s Self-Driving Taxi Test Isn’t Something To Hail

September 11, 2016  ·  Mark Reback

<p><span class="dateline">SAN FRANCISCO —</span> Uber’s decision to bring self-driving taxis to the streets of Pittsburgh this week is raising alarms among a swath of safety experts who say that the technology is not nearly ready for prime time.</p> <p>The unprecedented experiment will launch even though Pennsylvania has yet to pass basic laws that permit the testing of self-driving cars or rules that would govern what would happen in a crash. Uber is also not required to pass along any data from its vehicles to regulators.</p>