Nevada enacts law authorizing autonomous (driverless) vehicles
25 June 2011
The Nevada legislature passed AB 511, authorizing the use of autonomous (i.e., driverless) vehicles; the bill was approved by the Governor on 16 June and it enters into law.
Ryan Calo, Director of the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School observes that this appears to be the first law officially to sanction the technology.
The new law charges the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT) with setting safety and performance standards and requires it to designate areas where driverless cars may be tested.
The passage of the bill has implications for the development of smart cars and vehicle-to-vehicle communication, with benefits in safety and potentially fuel consumption.
But humans cannot drive without licenses?
One has to assume robots now have the right to vote.
This is taking entitlements TOO FAR.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 25 June 2011 at 08:33 AM
I guess they want the R&D dollars and they have a state with lots of underpopulated areas.
Posted by: mahonj | 25 June 2011 at 09:36 AM
Many human drivers have demonstrated that they are too dangerous to be allowed to drive. They kill up to 50,000 people every year in USA alone. They should not be allowed to sit into the driver seat.
Driver less lanes and/or highways could eventually be saver. Automated parking is another way to reduce damages by inadequate drivers.
This is progress and technology at work and should not be blocked.
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 June 2011 at 10:27 AM
They are just testing cars off the highway. While I favor ranging cruise control to prevent rear end collisions, I do not favor driverless operation, there are too many drivers texting while driving now.
Posted by: SJC | 25 June 2011 at 02:06 PM
I saw recently that they are developing & experimenting autonomous vehicles for use throughout the Nevada Test Site. This legislation might be related to that program someway somehow.
http://nnsa.energy.gov/mediaroom/pressreleases/robots100410
Posted by: ejj | 25 June 2011 at 07:57 PM
Warning! Warning! Warning Will Robinson! See "I-Robot" for a preview of the robot rebellion. Nevada will be the landing zone for Cylons. You have been Warned!
Posted by: Reel$$ | 26 June 2011 at 06:46 PM
"They kill up to 50,000 people every year in USA alone"
You've inflated the number for last year by more than 50% (to include motorcyclists).
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811451.pdf
50,000 people have not died in a year in the USA due to motor vehicles for the past 16 years.
http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx
Technology is helping to reduce fatalities.
Posted by: Patrick | 27 June 2011 at 02:19 PM