Congress is about to hand over the keys to the big self-driving car companies — and that’s a problem

Verge, the ^ | 19 July 2017 | Andrew J. Hawkins

[Lorianne]

It was an unusual sight: Democrats and Republicans gently ribbing each other, giggling, and vowing to work closely together on legislation that is said to be vital to the health and safety of Americans. Of all the things that could bring both parties together in this era of rank partisanship, who would have thought it would be self-driving cars?

The convivial atmosphere in today’s hearing by the House Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection, which was to mark-up a package of bills related to autonomous vehicles, was by design. After all, it was carefully cultivated by the big automakers and tech companies that are working furiously on autonomous driving technology. These companies want to ensure their interests are protected as legislation to regulate this emerging industry moves closer to a vote. And some critics think that this industry-friendly approach by Congress could come at the expense of consumer safety and transparency.

“Companies are pouring significant money into lobbying efforts.”

“I do think the chumminess is due to industry pressure,” said Missy Cummings, a former naval pilot who runs Duke University’s Humans and Autonomy Laboratory. “Companies are pouring significant money into lobbying efforts for both sides, so I think you are seeing this influence in how quickly these bills are being pushed through.” The bills would allow automakers and tech firms to deploy hundreds of thousands of self-driving vehicles onto the road without having to adhere to existing safety standards. The legislation would also preempt states from passing their own laws regulating driverless cars, which the industry argues is necessary to avoid a patchwork of state rules. The subcommittee approved the sweeping proposal by voice vote Wednesday, but the full House of Representatives will not take up the bill until it reconvenes in September after the summer recess.

[McGarrett]

So, you’re in your driverless car and due to circumstances beyond it’s control, it has the choice of steering for an obstacle that will surely kill you and your passengers or to take a course that will kill numerous pedestrians, but will save your life. What does it do? If they don’t get this decision-making process ironed out beforehand, there are going to be some major class-action suits on one side or the other, or both.

[Logical me]

These damn self drive cars should be totally baned and now. The are a uncontrolled killing devise and any idiot should never trust electronic crap on the highway. Driver cars are enough danger.

[Lorianne]

Yes, I agree.
If you want a ‘driverless’ experience, take a train ... or hire Uber.

[trisham]

Absolutely.

[Sheapdog]

Driverless cars can only operate on well kept perfect roads. See where this is going.

[taxcontrol]

First, driverless cars will be required to pass a saftey test

Second, the test will require that the car record X min / hours of vehicle (i.e. location) data

Third, they will receive some kind of incentive to increase their usage in the market

Fourth, driver cars will be taxed or insured out of existence

Fifth, cars will be required to regularly update their maps and transmit their location data

Sixth, the government will know where you travel to and from

Think about it.

[JmyBryan]

More importantly, you will only be allowed to use approved routes for “traffic control”, effectively restrained from anywhere any government agency doesn’t want you to go.

[oldtech]

I’m thinking these are only part of the problems created by the time they get this thing “on the road”. It’s a huge mistake to get the government involved in this.

[Sequoyah101]

We do not have a Republic anymore. What we have is a swamp creature. A combination of Plutocracy, Oligarchy and Corpratocracy and throw in some Kelptocracy for good measure. The only representing going on is on behalf of the highest bidder. The rest of us just vote.

As Rush noted the other day, yesterday, the Pubbies are not afraid of us. They know we have to vote for them because we won’t vote for the Dims. The also know that it is very unlikely that any rogue candidate of the people can muster enough money to defeat their system and that so few may win they are insignificant to the and can be turned or killed off.

With this panic reaction in Europe to the diesel emissions scam we will have electric and driverless cars whether it makes sense or not and it will cost more at first but we will be given no choice but to pay or do without. Another new normal will be established by MANDATE. Kalifornia will follow Europe first followed by Colorado and the NE. Even if other states resist they will have to follow since critical mass of car sales being electric will force submission.

Huge sums of money are being spent to force a new technology and the catch phrase is saving the environment. At least two generations have been conditioned to accept the cost of the new normal in technology. Those over 60 or so will have to lump it and die off.