Michigan could soon allow driverless cars on public roads

Michigan could soon allow driverless cars on public roads

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed four bills that would open public roads to driverless cars, and the House Speaker is eager to take up the measures. One state senator compared the race to driverless cars to putting a man on the moon.

Six other states plus DC have laws allowing the testing of autonomous vehicles. The difference is, the Michigan bills permit fully driverless cars, with no steering wheel or pedals and no backup driver required, on public roads. The state wants to be ready as soon as the new technology is available.

Until recently, autonomous vehicle research has focused on hands-free technology, but recent fatal accidents where the driver didnêt assume his proper role have changed that direction.

The Michigan bills would allow the driverless vehicles to be operated by automakers or ride hailing services such as Lyft or Uber.