Previously, autonomous vehicles needed to come equipped with a steering wheel and pedals so that human drivers could take control if needed. Carmakers have had to grapple with safety standards written decades before the concept of automated vehicles was even a realistic endeavour.
“Through the 2020s, an important part of the US Department of Transportation’s safety mission will be to ensure safety standards keep pace with the development of automated driving and driver assistance systems,” said Pete Buttigieg, US transportation secretary.
“This new rule is an important step, establishing robust safety standards for ADS-equipped vehicles.”
The rule updates the standards to clarify what is required of manufacturers when applying the standards to automated vehicles without traditional manual controls.
The final rule also clarifies that vehicles with automated technology must continue to provide the same high levels of occupant protection that is expected...