Michigan Leads States in Race to Get Driverless Cars on Public Roads
Michigan is looking at some bills that will make buying and driving driverless cars like the Google car much easier
Photo: General Physics Laboratory (GPL) via Flickr
As the home of the big three United States carmakers, there’s no doubt that Michigan is one car-centered state. That’s why it comes as no surprise that this northern state is heading the charge into autonomous vehicle technology.
When it comes to self-driving cars, it’s not a question of “if” these vehicles will come about—it’s a question of “when.” As technology companies, carmakers, ride-share companies, and insurance companies prepare themselves for the onslaught of autonomous vehicles, the states in our country have decided to start doing the same.
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Federal agencies are currently working on developing self-driving vehicle rules that will protect the public—and Michigan has one of the biggest government pushes towards doing so. Right now, Michigan is pushing a package of bipartisan bills through its government system to allow both the sale and operation of self-driving vehicles in the state.
Included in this package of bills is a law that enables driverless vehicles; another that sets up a highway speed test track at an unused General Motors plant; and another that will allow driverless trucks on the highways.
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Republican Senator Mike Kowall, the bills’ main sponsor, stated, “We’re working with the industry and MDOT so that once these vehicles are on the road you can rest assured that they are safe. I see the autonomous vehicles being tested on the road every day. It’s weird. But it’s what’s going to move the auto industry into the 24th and 25th century.”
There are a few people that are hesitant about this legislation and the technology it alludes to. In a recent study, participants were asked if they believed artificial intelligence was more trustworthy than human intelligence—43.27% of the survey takers said “No.” Despite this hesitation that many people show, though, it looks like the tech will be here sooner, rather than later.
News Source: Digital Trends
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