AAA research shows drivers say improving vehicle safety systems takes priority over developing self-driving cars. Automakers may already hold the key to improving public acceptance of self-driving cars: fine-tuning existing vehicle technology. AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey finds that only 22% of people feel manufacturers should focus on developing self-driving vehicles. The majority of drivers […]
Autonomous Vehicle Permit Holders Reported Nearly 2 Million Test Miles in California
Companies with a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California with a safety driver reported their technologies drove nearly 2 million miles on public roads during the most recent reporting period, a decrease of about 800,000 miles from the previous reporting cycle, according to disengagement reports recently submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). […]
Microsoft Invests $2 Billion in Cruise to Commercialize Self-Driving Vehicles
Cruise and General Motors today announced they have entered a long-term strategic relationship with Microsoft to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. The companies will bring together their software and hardware engineering excellence, cloud computing capabilities, manufacturing know-how and partner ecosystem to transform transportation to create a safer, cleaner, and more accessible world for everyone. […]
NHTSA Exempts Autonomous Vehicles That Do Not Carry Passengers from Crashworthiness Standards
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on January 14 issued a final rule to modernize numerous Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and clarify ambiguities in current occupant protection standards for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems that are designed without traditional manual driver controls. The rule amends several crashworthiness regulations to […]
NHTSA Seeks Public Comment on Automated Driving System Safety Principles
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking public comment on the potential development of a framework of principles to govern the safe behavior of automated driving systems (ADS) in the future. The advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) was submitted to the Federal Register on November 19 and is […]
Waymo Opens Full Driverless Taxi Service to Public in Phoenix
In a blog post, Waymo announced yesterday that it was opening its fully driverless taxi service to the general public in Phoenix, Ariz. Waymo had announced in 2017 its vehicles had started operating on public roads in the Phoenix, Ariz. market without drivers as part of an early rider program. “Beginning today, October 8, we’re […]
Bosch and Pony.ai Collaborate on Autonomous Vehicle Fleet Management
Self-driving startup Pony.ai announced an agreement with Bosch, a global supplier of technology and services, today to explore the future of automotive maintenance and repair for autonomous fleets. One of many opportunities in the autonomous driving space is the continuous operation of a fleet, and the reduction of downtime. Pony.ai and Bosch’s Automotive Aftermarket division […]
FCA and Waymo Announce Expanded Autonomous Driving Partnership
Companies sign exclusive agreement to develop Light Commercial Vehicles to support rapid growth in delivery service demand. FCA and Waymo announced today that they have taken the next significant steps in the expansion of their autonomous driving technology partnership. Waymo, that started as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, will now work exclusively with […]
Ford Announces Hands Free Driving System
Ford Motor Company today announced its Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology, a collection of available driver-assist features, and adds new offerings including Active Drive Assist, that will allow for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 states and Canada. Active Drive Assist begins rolling out on select 2021 model year Ford […]
IIHS Research Indicates Self-Driving Vehicles Could Struggle to Eliminate Most Crashes
Driver mistakes play a role in virtually all crashes. That’s why automation has been held up as a potential game changer for safety. But autonomous vehicles might prevent only around a third of all crashes if automated systems drive too much like people, according to a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. […]