Google’s Self-driving Toyota Prius

Yes, the title is a little bit of a play on words, since we know that as Annie sings, tomorrow is always a day away. Still, reading this article (HT: Gene Rohrbaugh) about autonomous cars made me feel a little like the futuristic self-driving car is not that far off anymore. A new law in CA (which joins NV’s already passed law) sets the framework for autonomous cars operating on public roadways. Here are the basics of the law:

The bill does the following:

* Sets up safety and performance standards for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on California’s public roads

* Allows for the operation of autonomous vehicles on California’s public roads by a licensed driver

* Requires that an autonomous vehicle meet all applicable safety standards and performance requirements in state and federal law

* Allows the Highway Patrol, in consultation with the Department of Motor Vehicles, to recommend to the Legislature additional requirements for the safe operation of such vehicles on California’s roads

Last year, similar legislation was signed into law in Nevada. In addition, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida and Oklahoma are considering autonomous-vehicle legislation.

Wonder when this will happen in PA, and when the first cars will take advantage of this!