The Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA), which represents major companies like Volkswagen, Ford, Waymo, Amazon's Zoox, and Uber, has called on the federal government to take a more active role in advancing self-driving technology.
The group released a policy framework on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for clear regulations to ensure the safe and rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles (AVs).
Jeff Farrah, AVIA's executive director, stressed the urgency of federal leadership. “The federal government is the one that needs to lead when it comes to vehicle design, construction, and performance, and we just have not seen enough action in recent years,” Farrah said in an interview.
The industry framework highlights concerns over "regulatory uncertainty" and warns that inaction could cede the U.S. lead in autonomous vehicle technology to China. It calls on the Department of Transportation (USDOT) to assert its authority over AV design and performance standards and to increase efforts in areas critical to deployment.
In December 2023, AVIA joined other groups in urging the USDOT to streamline approval processes for autonomous vehicles without human controls, such as steering wheels or brake pedals. Last month, the department proposed measures to simplify these reviews, a step welcomed by the industry but seen as insufficient by many stakeholders.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the importance of rigorous oversight in an interview on Monday, emphasizing the need for public trust. “Being very rigorous in these early stages is helping these technologies start to meet their potential to save lives,” Buttigieg said. He added that stringent oversight would enhance public acceptance of self-driving technology.
The industry has faced scrutiny after incidents like the October 2023 case in which a pedestrian was seriously injured by a General Motors Cruise vehicle. USDOT investigations into AVs operated by Cruise, Waymo, and Zoox are ongoing. Despite these challenges, AVIA remains focused on addressing safety concerns and advancing innovation.
The group also wants Congress to clarify regulations, including removing requirements for human controls in vehicles that meet safety standards. It has proposed creating a national AV safety data repository to support state transportation agencies.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly supportive of easing deployment barriers for autonomous vehicles, with Reuters suggesting his administration could provide a boost to stalled efforts in Congress.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a close adviser to Trump, has hinted at launching driverless ride-hailing services by 2025, signaling growing momentum in the AV industry.
President-elect Donald Trump has sparked international controversy by refusing to rule out military or economic measures to secure control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, which he claims are crucial to U.S. national security.
Syria's new trade minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan warned on January 6 that strict US sanctions are preventing the country from importing essential goods like fuel and wheat, and called for their lifting or suspension to avoid a looming crisis.
US envoy Amos Hochstein expressed confidence on January 6 about the smooth implementation of the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement, following key meetings in Lebanon with government officials and military leaders.
The FBI has released video footage showing Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the suspect in the deadly New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, recorded with Meta glasses during visits to the French Quarter months before the incident.
President Joe Biden criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s push to eliminate birthright citizenship, calling it "awful," while simultaneously signing a major bill to expand Social Security benefits for public retirees.
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.
Devastating wildfires fueled by powerful winds force mass evacuations in Los Angeles, scorching homes and landmarks as firefighters battle uncontained blazes across the region.
Poland has closed its Consulate General in St. Petersburg after Russia ordered its shutdown in retaliation for Warsaw’s closure of the Russian consulate in Poznań. The move highlights escalating diplomatic tensions, with both sides accusing each other of hostile actions.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry is working with Eritrean authorities to secure the release of 18 Azerbaijani citizens detained after their vessels entered Eritrean waters on November 7, 2024, due to severe weather. The crew faces charges of unauthorized entry.
Fuel vendors in Damascus are thriving in the post-Assad era, providing much-needed gasoline and diesel to Syrians after years of repression under the former regime. The shift has brought newfound freedom and relief from years of repression.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the importance of improved coordination between military and civilian services following the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Himalayan foothills, killing at least 100 and shaking Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Tremors reached as far as Kathmandu and Thimphu.
Samsung Electronics, the global leader in memory chips, smartphones, and televisions, has released its fourth-quarter operating profit estimate, revealing a significant shortfall compared to analyst expectations. The South Korean tech giant reported an estimated operating profit of 6.5 trillion won.
Electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is under investigation in Brazil after hundreds of Chinese workers were brought into the country on irregular visas to work on a factory construction in Bahia, with many found in "slavery-like conditions," according to labor authorities, Reuters reports.
Philips has sold its chipmaking subsidiary, Xiver, to a consortium led by Orange Mills Ventures, marking another step in the company’s shift away from semiconductor operations, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported.
Nvidia unveils AI breakthroughs at CES 2025, introducing Cosmos models for training robots and cars, advanced gaming chips, and new automotive tech with Toyota, targeting $5B revenue by 2026.
International tech innovators arrived in Las Vegas, to represent and try out the latest gadgets and innovations ahead of CES 2025.
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.
Devastating wildfires fueled by powerful winds force mass evacuations in Los Angeles, scorching homes and landmarks as firefighters battle uncontained blazes across the region.
Poland has closed its Consulate General in St. Petersburg after Russia ordered its shutdown in retaliation for Warsaw’s closure of the Russian consulate in Poznań. The move highlights escalating diplomatic tensions, with both sides accusing each other of hostile actions.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry is working with Eritrean authorities to secure the release of 18 Azerbaijani citizens detained after their vessels entered Eritrean waters on November 7, 2024, due to severe weather. The crew faces charges of unauthorized entry.
Fuel vendors in Damascus are thriving in the post-Assad era, providing much-needed gasoline and diesel to Syrians after years of repression under the former regime. The shift has brought newfound freedom and relief from years of repression.
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