Michigan governor Rick Snyder has signed four separate bills which will see the state become the most open and supportive of self-driving vehicle development of anywhere in the United States.
California has long been viewed as the laxest with laws about autonomous vehicles but Michigan’s new regulations will go one step beyond by permitting vehicles to test on its streets without steering wheels, pedals or even humans on board.
As reported by Fortune, the four bills, dubbed 995, 996, 997 and 998 will permit automotive and technology companies to freely test their vehicles across the state while also being allowed to operate self-driving ride-sharing services. Additionally, the new regulations will permit the sale of fully autonomous vehicles to consumers once the technology has been adequately tested and certified.
Major automakers and companies including Google, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors, Ford and Toyota all helped to shape the legislation.
Speaking of the legislation, director of Automotive Safety at Ford, Wayne Bahr, said “At the end of the day, the most important thing about SB 995 is that it will permit on-road deployment of autonomous vehicles. And we’re grateful for this legislation because it will play a critical role in achieving our intention to deliver a fully autonomous SAE level 4-capable vehicle with no gas or brake pedals and no steering wheel for commercial use in geo-fenced areas in 2021.”
PHOTO GALLERY
