California’s tech sector is expanding into new areas.
It’s Governor, Jerry Brown, recently signed a law allowing for self-driving cars with no steering wheel, no pedals and don’t need a human driver. Maximum speed: 35 mph.
However, this law doesn’t apply to the whole state of California; it’s specific to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority project, which is developing shuttles that will be used to move employees around a business park.
The law also applies to “GoMentum Station”, which is located within the Concord Naval Weapons Station. There, Honda has been testing its driverless cars. Uber-owned Otto will also be conducting tests there soon. Google and Apple are also interested in the facility.
Many other states have been waiting on federal guidelines to base their laws around. The federal government recently released a policy concerning automated vehicles, which will hopefully lay the groundwork for other state laws.
There is a strong feeling in the industry and in government that laws pertaining to self-driving cars need to be pretty uniform to prevent complications in driving from state to state. California’s efforts may be the first of many states’ efforts to move autonomous cars forward.