Proving that it takes its long and rich ties to the automotive industry seriously, the state of Michigan has become the most lenient and supportive state in the U.S. to test autonomous vehicle technology. Michigan governor Rick Snyder signed four separate bills, each supporting specific elements of developing autonomous driving technology, including allowing automakers and tech companies involved in the development of the tech to operate self-driving cars on the state’s public roads, even without a human driver inside the cars. In addition, the legislation also gives Michigan the distinction of becoming the first state in the U.S. to allow companies to begin testing self-driving cars that have no steering wheel or pedals.
The signing of the legislature took place at the Automotive Hall of Fame Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It’s an appropriate place to do it, largely because of the significance of the event in shaping the future of the auto industry. Governor Snyder himself seemed to understand the magnitude of signing the legislation, calling it an important moment for the state to once again “lead the way in transforming the auto industry.”
"We are becoming the mobility industry, shaped around technology that makes us more aware and safer as we’re driving," the governor added. "By recognizing that and aligning our state’s policies as new technology is developed, we will continue as the leader the rest of the world sees as its biggest competition."
The four legislations are formally referred to as “SB 995, SB 996, SB 997, and SB 998.” Each legislation specifically outlines regulations that allows auto and tech companies to freely test their vehicles across the state while also being allowed to operate self-driving ride-sharing services.
SB 995 (now called PA 332 of 2016), for instance, now allows operations of autonomous vehicles on Michigan roads, a major step up from previous regulations wherein only testing of these vehicles by auto companies was allowed. The legislation also allows “automated vehicle platoons,” a testing method by which vehicles travel together at electronically coordinated speeds. Swedish automaker Volvo has already done testing of this sort all the back in 2012, referring to it as a semi-autonomous road train technology.
Other items featured in the legislation include allowing on-demand, autonomous ride-sharing services and the creation of the Michigan Council of Future Mobility, a new arm under the Michigan Department of Transportation.
Continue after the jump to read the full story.
from Top Speed http://ift.tt/2hk9rui
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