U.S. Senate panel puts self-driving cars in fast lane

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

#INNOVATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OCTOBER 4, 2017 / 10:48 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

U.S. Senate panel puts self-driving cars in fast lane

David Shepardson
5 MIN READ

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday unanimously gave the green light to a bill aimed at speeding the use of self-driving cars without human controls, a measure that also bars states from imposing regulatory road blocks.

The bill still must clear a Senate vote, but it appears on track to passage. This should rev up profits for automakers, technology companies and ride service providers, hastening the day when their robot cars can carry passengers on the same U.S. roads as cars driven by people.

General Motors Co, Alphabet Inc, Ford Motor Co and others have lobbied for the landmark legislation, while auto safety groups urged more safeguards and have pledged to keep fighting for changes.

However the measure will not speed the process for self-driving commercial trucks, which remain in a slower lane despite support from several Republican senators.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-selfdriving/u-s-senate-panel-puts-self-driving-cars-in-fast-lane-idUSKBN1C923N

[Tiggeroshii]

1. "Without human controls."

[RKP5637]

2. The need for humans is coming to an end, eventually. n/t

[hedda_foil]

3. Think they'll be coal powered?

[GeorgeGist]

4. Glad I'm too old to think it's should be of any priority.