Google's Car Could Be Banned Beacuse It's Fully 'Self-Driven' | TechTree.com

Google's Car Could Be Banned Beacuse It's Fully 'Self-Driven'

Ironically, its the lack of manual controls for which Google's autonomous car is being pulled up

 

California's Department of Motor Vehicles will revise the rules for manufacturers to test self-driving cars on public roads next month, effectively banning the Google car. The new law will require test mules to be fitted with manual controls, allowing drivers to take control of the vehicle in case of self-driving system failure.

While that's not too much of a problem for traditional car makers, who so far have seen to be outfitting regular cars with self-driving tech, Google's car has no controls apart from a start/stop button. The change in regulations seems to be directed towards Google's car alone, and serves as a statement that the company's idea isn't going to fly just yet.

According to a WSJ report, Google will respond by building in a steering wheel and pedal system for its test vehicles, most likely in time for their Spetember roll-out. Apart from facing trouble Stateside, the UK Department of Transport could also revise its regulations to make manual controls on self-driving cars mandatory.

Google is planning to roll out about a hundred of its autonomous cars which will ply on public roads for testing purposes. Recently there had been changes made to regulations requiring autonomous test cars to have trained drivers seated in them at all times. These steps are being taken as precautions in case the self-driving system fails or makes an error.

[Also read: Baidu's Take On The Self-Driving Car Makes More Sense Than Google's]

In the US, Google's self-driving car will be limited to a top speed of 25mph, until the company can prove an increment in speed will pose no safety threats. While the company's self-built car is expected to be on US roads as soon as next month, other test locations include the UK and even Japan.

Governments of several countries are fast tracking changes in regulations that will allow the testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads. This is being done in order to incubate the technology that could one day revolutionize the global transport industry.


TAGS: Google, self-driving vehicles

 
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