Uber Testing Autonomous Vehicles in Pittsburgh
Posted on May 22, 2016
Uber is testing a driverless Ford Fusion hybrid on streets in Pittsburgh. While a driver sits behind the wheel, the vehicle drives itself using radars, laser scanner, and high resolution cameras.
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San Francisco Start-Up Developing Driverless Trucks
Posted on May 17, 2016
A new start-up, made up of employees from Google, Apple, and Tesla, is focused on getting autonomous trucks on the roads. The company, Otto, is equipping trucks with software, sensors, lasers, and cameras, with the intent that the big rigs will eventually navigate U.S. highways autonomously. Otto has been testing in Nevada because California regulations permitting driverless vehicle testing apply to passenger cars only. The company is seeking volunteers who would be willing to allow Otto to install self-driving kits in their cabs for testing purposes. In the event of technology failure or...
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Parts Manufacturer Delphi Joins Automaker Cybersecurity Group
Posted on May 12, 2016
Delphi Automotive PLC, an automotive parts manufacturer, announced this week that it has joined the Automotive Information and Sharing Analysis Center, the automotive industry’s hub for addressing cyber-security threats to connected vehicles. The Center counts a majority of U.S. automakers, including General Motors and Fiat Chrysler, among its members and was formed to enable the sharing of information between manufacturers concerning cyber-security threats. Delphi’s membership comes just weeks after the FBI and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned that newer vehicles...
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GM and Lyft Plan to Test Self-Driving Taxis in 2017
Posted on May 11, 2016
General Motors and Lyft have announced plans to roll out a fleet of self-driving taxis in an unidentified urban area in 2017. The plan, part of ongoing tests of GM’s automated driving technology, is the culmination of GM’s $500 million dollar investment in Lyft and $1 billion dollar acquisition of Cruise Automation Inc., a San Francisco based automated-driving technology developer. Lyft users will have the option of opting in to receive an automated vehicle when they request a ride through the application. Each test vehicle will still have a driver behind the wheel to take control in...
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New Jersey Senate Considers Regulations for Ride Sharing Companies
Posted on May 10, 2016
A bill was recently introduced in the New Jersey state senate that would impose new safety standards for ride sharing companies, like Uber and Lyft, operating in New Jersey. The bill, the Transportation Network Company Safety and Regulatory Act, would require background checks for all ride share drivers to be performed by the state police and would require that all drivers maintain at least $1.5 million dollars in liability coverage. Under the act, the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles and the Division of Consumer Affairs would be authorized to inspect the records of any ride...
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Companies Create A New Lobbying Group To Present United Front for Self-Driving Cars
Posted on Apr 27, 2016
In order to present a united front to regulatory agencies like the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, companies heavily invested in autonomous technology have created a new lobbying group called the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets. The companies involved in forming the group include Google Inc., Ford Motor Co, Volvo AB, Uber Technologies Inc., and Lyft Inc. Counsel and spokesperson for the group, David Strickland, stated that the group’s goal is to help develop “one clear set” of federal laws that will pave the way for the...
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GAO Says DOT Should Do More To Combat Real-World Cyberattacks
Posted on Apr 27, 2016
In a recent report, the Government Accountability Office asserted that more needs to be done by the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in preparing for and combating real-world cyberattacks on automobiles. Although there have been no such attacks documented, researchers have identified vulnerabilities affecting critical systems, including brakes. More specifically, certain critical systems are linked to potential access points via Bluetooth and other emerging technologies that could allow a wireless attack. In the event of a cyberattack, those...
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Conference Addresses Challenges in AV Deployment
Posted on Apr 19, 2016
On April 15, 2016, the University of Michigan Law School hosted Autonomous Vehicles: Legal and Regulatory Hurdles to Deployment. Representatives from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), automakers, insurers, and academia discussed the legal challenges autonomous technology development present. Topics discussed included: State regulation. Several panelists stressed the need to avoid a “patchwork” of state regulations on autonomous vehicles. Automakers consistently reiterated that the federal government should regulate this area. Financing. It remains unclear who...
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New Air Bag Law in Washington
Posted on Apr 18, 2016
A new law in Washington deems the manufacture, sale or import of counterfeit or nonfunctional air bags a felony. The legislation was originally introduced in the House and Senate earlier this year. The law goes into effect on June 9, 2016.
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Automakers Reach out to Auto Insurers on Recalls
Posted on Apr 13, 2016
Two associations representing the largest automakers in the world have asked the auto insurance industry to assist them by reminding insureds of recalls when they renew their policies. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers made their request in letters to the CEOs of major insurance companies. This outreach comes ahead of this week’s congressional hearings on efforts by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to decrease the number of uncompleted car recalls.
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Missouri Legislature Considers Regulation of Ridesharing Industry
Posted on Apr 7, 2016
The Missouri House of Representative has advanced legislation imposing state wide regulations on the ridesharing industry. The bill, supported by both Uber and Lyft, mandates insurance for all rideshare vehicles and requires companies to conduct background checks on drivers. Both Uber and Lyft contend that they already meet the requirements proposed in the bill. Ridesharing services have faced a rocky road in Missouri. In 2014, Lyft discontinued operations in the state following a lawsuit from the St Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission. It is believed that the bill will provide for...
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10 Tech Trends Automakers And Insurers Need To Watch
Posted on Apr 6, 2016
A Law360 article by Sutherland’s Mike Nelson examines new trends arising from the autonomous technological boom, including expansion of big data and a shifting liability scheme. Click here for ten developments that auto manufacturers and insurers should monitor over the next five years. (Subscription required.)
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China Positioned to Lead in Manufacturing Autonomous Vehicles
Posted on Apr 4, 2016
A number of companies in China are deeply invested in developing driverless vehicles, lending credence to a Boston Consulting Group study finding China will be the largest market for autonomous vehicles within the next 15 years. China is well situated to take on the role. Unlike the U.S., China enjoys strong support for autonomous vehicles at both the local and national levels; further, the Chinese are less enamored than Americans with driving or vehicle ownership. Engineers in China are facing unique challenges, however, in designing driverless vehicles for roads where people, animals,...
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NHTSA To Propose Safety Guidelines For New and Emerging Technology
Posted on Mar 31, 2016
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is submitting a proposed enforcement guideline to address safety concerns relating to new and emerging technology, such as automated vehicles and crash avoidance technology. The NHTSA acknowledged that the increased use of electronic systems has increased complexity, but stated that vehicle manufacturers are nevertheless responsible for ensuring that vehicles do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety. For example, a cybersecurity vulnerability allowing remote access to critical safety systems could be considered a safety-related defect...
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