Will Driverless-Car Makers Learn to Share?
On Monday, the Obama Administration released a hundred-and-twelve-page policy tome, “Federal Automated Vehicles Policy,” which, despite its sleep-inducing title, found an eager readership. The document contained long-awaited regulatory guidance on self-driving cars—a concept that has gone from sci-fi fantasy to legitimate industry in just a few short years. The official reaction from manufacturers has been muted. Nonetheless, the internal reaction was likely relief. Without federal recognition and regulatory authority, the autonomous-vehicle industry exists in legal limbo. As of Monday, there is a road forward.