During a recent two-hour hearing in the US Senate, executives from Waymo and Tesla made a compelling case for the urgent need for legislation to accelerate the deployment of self-driving cars on public roads. Despite the impassioned pleas from these industry leaders, it became clear that lawmakers were still at an impasse when it came to passing any bills related to autonomous vehicles.
Waymo faced tough questions regarding its choice to utilize a Chinese-made vehicle for its upcoming robotaxi service, as well as incidents where its vehicles failed to stop behind school buses during student pickups. On the other hand, Tesla was grilled about its decision to remove radar from its vehicles, its stance on binding arbitration, and its potentially misleading marketing practices surrounding autonomous features. Both companies were also asked about the looming threat of China overtaking the US in autonomous vehicle technology.
Lars Moravy, Tesla’s vice president of vehicle engineering, emphasized the need for updated regulations that support innovation in the autonomous vehicle industry. He stressed that current federal regulations are outdated and do not adequately address modern advancements like electric drive trains and automated driving systems. Moravy called for American leadership in establishing rules and regulations for autonomous vehicles.
Despite the calls for action, the passage of legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles remains uncertain. Senator Ted Cruz, who chaired the hearing, expressed optimism that it could be included in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act. However, lawmakers seem divided on the benefits of driverless cars and the companies behind them.
Safety was a major focus of the hearing, with both Waymo and Tesla emphasizing it as their top priority. However, they were questioned about specific safety incidents involving their vehicles, with Senator Maria Cantwell highlighting Tesla’s deceptive marketing practices. She raised concerns about the lack of federal oversight, pointing out the reduced enforcement by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under Elon Musk’s leadership.
Waymo’s safety lapses, including incidents involving school buses and pedestrians, were also scrutinized during the hearing. Waymo’s chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, assured that the company is actively collecting data to improve safety measures and prevent future incidents.
The hearing also delved into issues of liability, arbitration, and the role of remote operators in autonomous vehicles. Senator Bernie Moreno expressed concerns about companies using arbitration clauses to limit accountability and pressed both Waymo and Tesla on their liability policies in the event of accidents.
The specter of China’s dominance in autonomous vehicle technology loomed large throughout the hearing, with warnings that the US could fall behind without swift congressional action. Waymo’s use of Chinese-made vehicles raised eyebrows, with questions about data security and job creation for Americans.
In conclusion, the hearing highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to regulate autonomous vehicles and ensure the safety of the public. The testimonies from Waymo and Tesla underscored the challenges and complexities of integrating self-driving cars into our transportation system, emphasizing the critical role of government oversight in this rapidly evolving industry.