While people are still arguing whether self-driving cars are technologically advanced enough to be launched on the road, Uber decided to show them by actually doing it.
Uber launched a groundbreaking driverless car service in Pittsburgh as a pilot program back in September and has now expanded the program to San Francisco, California.
The service includes a fleet of driverless cars equipped with lasers, cameras and other sensors, though a human (who is being called a ‘safety driver’) is present at all times to take control of the car if the need so arises.
All was going smoothly for Uber until the state DMV of California called for the company to stop its program. The DMV is stating that Uber doesn’t have necessary permits to launch a driverless-car program on the roads of California.
Also, there is a concern among regulators that the cars are not ready for the road and that it may put public safety at risk. In fact, an Uber self-driving car was recorded running a red light, though Uber says that was a human error.
But despite being asked to stop the service at once, Uber denies to do so, stating that it does not require the permit as the cars are not fully autonomous and a driver is present at all times behind the wheel ready to take control if the cars malfunction.
The DMV is threatening legal action if Uber doesn’t cease the service and gets a permit first. The ball is now in Uber’s court and it must decide to give in to the DMV’s request or to keep going.
The whole thing shows that the law should keep pace with technology. We are seeing newer kinds of technology springing up all over the world like drones and self-driving cars. These can be used for both good or bad purposes.
Hence, it is upto the law to introduce clear rules and regulations pertaining to these newer technologies.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/12/14/uber-expands-self-driving-car-service-to-a-second-city/