Beginning September 1, totally autonomous vehicles would require a allow to function in Texas. This new restriction comes after the state’s governor, Greg Abbott, signed into regulation the SB 2807 invoice that requires authorization from the state’s Division of Motor Automobiles for self-driving vehicles on public streets with out human interplay.
The signing of the brand new regulation coincides with Tesla’s launch of its robotaxi service in Austin right this moment the place invited visitors obtained to trip in totally autonomous Mannequin Ys. Whereas the regulation would not go into impact till a couple of months later, Tesla’s robotaxi launch may have skirted this new regulation since all rides are accompanied by a human “security monitor” within the entrance passenger seat.
Within the coming months, Texas’ new regulation could show to be greater than only a headache for Tesla. Apart from the permits, the upcoming regulation permits state authorities the flexibility to revoke permits and requires firms to supply strategies of coping with self-driving vehicles in emergency conditions to police and first responders. Whereas this might turn out to be a critical hurdle for Tesla, it is also prone to have an effect on Waymo, because it at the moment operates an autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin.
