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Why would California lose a big thing for the self-employed cars? |
California has long been a breeding ground for innovation and has promoted pioneering technology companies ranging from Disney to Apple. But in terms of auto-driving – and based on several recent developments – a much more conservative Michigan is taking pole position in nurturing technology.
Michigan
and particularly the Detroit area is an ideal incubator for autonomous
technology, as it is the hub of the automotive universe and can
capitalize on its extensive talent and own resources, including the
manufacturing capacity of world-class vehicles and research capacity.
The state also has a wide range of weather conditions to better test
self-directed vehicles under real conditions.
And
it has a state government that is friendly with technology. A recent
example of this is a broad legislation passed in law last week by
Governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder, which allows self-employed vehicles
to operate on state roads without a human behind the wheel or even on
board.
It
also allows semi-automated truck platoons to travel together at
established speeds and carpool services to collect passengers. "This is a
great step for our state," because it will allow for accurate and
appropriate tests of autonomous vehicles on real roads and in real
situations ... in order to provide greater opportunities to test,
manufacture and operate autonomous vehicles in Michigan, "Snyder said in
a blog post earlier this week.
Contrast
with this is California's most restrictive approach. Last December, the
state DMV issued a bill that, among other things, requires a driver to
be ready to take the wheel of an autonomous vehicle at all times, and
that a vehicle must have a steering wheel and pedals.
This
last point did not sit well with Google, the highest-profile company in
California doing autonomous car testing, as their auto-driving cars are
designed without traditional controls. "We are seriously disappointed
that California is already writing a roof in the potential of fully
self-directed cars to help everyone who lives here," said a Google
spokesman at the time.
California moves away from the topic
Following
the publication of the bill, several technology and automotive trade
groups sent a letter to the California State transportation agency,
which said that requiring a driver behind the wheel "moves away from the
issue" of technology. The strict rules "lose a critical opportunity to
increase security and reduce accidents," they said.
At
the end of September, the Governor of California, Jerry Brown, signed a
bill that allows autonomous vehicles to circulate on public roads
without a human reserve driver or a steering wheel and pedals. But it
only applies to a pilot project in an autonomous vehicle facility in
Northern California testing and in a nearby business park, and speeds
are limited to less than 35MPH.
Google
would have informed the California DMV at the end of last year that if
the rules are not loosened, the company's self-directed car would not be
available in California, and has moved some of its tests to Texas and
the state of Washington. Google also opened a large facility in the
Detroit area earlier this year.
But
the evidence also came this week of why California thinks it prudent to
adopt a more cautious approach in the legislation of autonomous
vehicles. Openly defying California's licensing process for autonomous
vehicles, Uber began testing the Volvo highways in San Francisco, and
one was captured on camera by passing a red light.
While
companies compete to take the lead in autonomous vehicles, we hope to
see more of these develop their car drivers in Michigan. Let's hope we
don't see big auto-driving platforms passing red lights as a result.
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