U.S. Proposes Spending $4 Billion to Encourage Driverless Cars

Wall Street Journal ^

[Sub-Driver]

U.S. Proposes Spending $4 Billion to Encourage Driverless Cars Mike Spector and Mike Ramsey Updated Jan. 14, 2016 4:41 p.m. ET

The Obama administration proposed spending nearly $4 billion over a decade to make driverless cars on U.S. roads more widespread in an effort to curb fatalities and traffic jams.

The proposal, which still requires congressional approval, aims to have federal regulators work with auto makers and others to craft policies and potential rules across the U.S. for policing autonomous vehicles that move without a driver at the wheel. Regulators would also test so-called connected vehicles that talk to one another to avoid crashes in designated spots across the U.S. under the $3.9 billion budget proposal.

It isn’t clear whether or when any new regulations might be adopted. Regulators said they plan to issue guidance within six months on preferred performance characteristics and testing methods for driverless cars and collaborate with state officials on policies.

[Charles Martel]

Truck companies are investing in autonomous vehicles in a big way. They will be among the first adapters.

Sure, but there will probably be two Teamster "safety monitors" required aboard every such truck.

[Homer1]

That investment will see w better return than a lot of social spending...

[wjcsux]

Crony Crapitolism at its worst.

[Washi]

The Obama administration proposed spending nearly $4 billion over a decade to make driverless cars on U.S. roads more widespread in an effort to curb fatalities and traffic jams personal freedoms and possibility of evasion.

Fixed it.

You know there will be a government controlled "kill switch" in it. Or, better yet, it'll just lock you inside and drive you to the "facility".