Self-driving cars could hit a major road block in California

On Wednesday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued draft rules that require a human backup during testing in case of failure. Uber, the controversial hire a auto via app service, is also researching AI and autonomous technologies for use in vehicles, having recently awarded Carnergie Mellon University $5.5 million to help research self-driving vehicles.

Manufacturers would also have to regularly report accidents, come up with security measures to prevent hackers from taking over cars, and tell passengers what kind of data, beyond whatever information is needed to safely run the vehicle, the companies are collecting about them. Now, though, the DMV is looking to set down what will be required in order for members of the public to operate autonomous cars as a matter of course.

Google criticized the proposal in a statement to Automotive News, saying the company was “gravely disappointed” that California was “writing a ceiling on the potential for fully self-driving cars”. “No data we have shows (performance with) no driver in the vehicle”.

Before granting that initial permit, both the manufacturer and an independent certifier would need to sign off that the vehicle has passed safety testing.

Whether they’re converted Toyota Prius hybrids or purpose-built electric pod cars, Google’s self-driving cars have become a familiar sight on the road, and the Internet.

Some experts say that holding licensed drivers responsible for an autonomous vehicle might not make it safer.

The DMV says the draft regulations are meant to promote the continued development of autonomous vehicle technology in California, while transitioning manufacturers from testing to deployment of self-driving cars.

Recent vehicle prototypes by Mountain View, California- based Google are created to move at the push of a button, and have no steering wheels or pedals.

Steven Shladover, a research engineer with a UC Berkeley advanced transportation program, said the DMV faces a hard challenge in establishing the nation’s first real regulations for self-driving cars – something it was required to do by legislation in 2012.

Though the timeline for public access is squishy, in principle the DMV could finalize the rules and a manufacturer could satisfy the safety requirements as early as 2017. Most autonomous cars use LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors on the roof to produce an accurate, laser scan of the surroundings.

“Safety is our highest priority and primary motivator as we do this”, he said.

Whilst not set in stone, the rules would upset Google’s plans in California for driverless cars if passed.

Even so, the proposed regulations are still just a draft.

While Google is gearing up its self-driving business plans, Uber itself is searching for ways to cut human drivers out of the equation.