Google, Ford, Volvo, Uber, Lyft form self-driving car coalition

Google, Ford, Volvo, Uber, Lyft form self-driving car coalition

Google has joined with two automakers and two ride-sharing companies to form the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets. The group will advocate for autonomous vehicles and will lobby for uniform regulations for them in an effort to avoid a patchwork of state laws. Former NHTSA Administrator David Strickland will be the groupês counsel and spokesman.

–Self-driving vehicle technology will make Americaês roadways safer and less congested,” Strickland said in a statement. –The best path for this innovation is to have one clear set of federal standards, and the Coalition will work with policymakers to find the right solutions that will facilitate the deployment of self-driving vehicles.”

NHTSA plans to release guidance on autonomous vehicles in July. One point of contention: California has proposed, and Google has opposed, requiring a steering wheel, pedals and a licensed driver in the car in case of emergency. NHTSA said earlier this year that the artificial intelligence system in a Google autonomous car could be considered the driver.