Google’s Autonomous Vehicles: Slow Speeds, Adapting to Emergency Situations, and a Minor Accident
Posted on Dec 9, 2015 in Industry News, Technology Impacting Auto Insurance | Comments Off on Google’s Autonomous Vehicles: Slow Speeds, Adapting to Emergency Situations, and a Minor Accident
As the development of Google’s driverless car progresses, the company recently reported on topics such as its slow speed, it’s reaction to emergency signals, and accident updates. First, one of the vehicles was stopped by police last month for driving too slowly (24 mph in a 35 mph zone). Google explained that although the self-driving car can go faster, slower speeds both assist the...
“Quiet Car” Regulation Delayed
Posted on Dec 4, 2015 in Industry News | Comments Off on “Quiet Car” Regulation Delayed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is delaying a safety regulation that would require hybrid and electric vehicles to add audio alerts when driving at low speeds. The NHTSA claims that hybrid vehicles, which are known as “quiet cars” because they can be driven at low speeds without an internal combustion engine running, are involved in nearly 20% more pedestrian...
Pennsylvania State Senate Votes to Legalize Ridesharing
Posted on Nov 30, 2015 in Industry News | Comments Off on Pennsylvania State Senate Votes to Legalize Ridesharing
The Pennsylvania State Senate has voted to approve a bill that would legalize ridesharing services, such as Uber and Lyft. The bill contains several safeguards, including mandatory auto insurance coverage and background checks on drivers. Now that the Senate has passed the bill, it must next receive approval from the House and Governor Tom Wolf.
Skepticism Over Autonomous Vehicles
Posted on Nov 19, 2015 in Industry News | Comments Off on Skepticism Over Autonomous Vehicles
Participants on a recent panel regarding autonomous vehicle technology have taken a skeptical view of whether autonomous vehicles are ready for the road. The panelists, who are each involved in the development of autonomous vehicles, noted some of the challenges that must be overcome before the technology can be adopted. These challenges—which are relatively simple for human...
Tax Cut Propels Auto Sales in China
Posted on Nov 11, 2015 in Industry News | Comments Off on Tax Cut Propels Auto Sales in China
Sales of passenger vehicles have surged to a ten-month high in China following the cut of a car-purchasing tax. Following a summer slowdown, auto sales climbed 13 percent in October to 1.94 million vehicles. The rebound, coming ten months after the elimination of the tax benefiting auto manufacturers, also follows the trend of increased consumer spending in China. Total vehicle sales...
Takata Share Prices Fall As Auto Makers Signal Avoidance of Takata Air Bags
Posted on Nov 5, 2015 in Industry News | Comments Off on Takata Share Prices Fall As Auto Makers Signal Avoidance of Takata Air Bags
After Mazda, Subaru, and Mitsubishi automakers indicated that they would no longer use Takata air bags, Takata Corp. experienced a drop in its share price of approximately 25%. The announcements all followed the determination by Honda that it would no longer use Takata air bags in new vehicles, as well as a settlement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The...
