Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo unit has become the first company in the state of California to receive a permit to test driverless vehicles without a backup driver in the front seat, according to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
California has authorized Waymo to use about three dozen test vehicles in Santa Clara County. Although self-driving vehicles are designed to preclude the need for a physical driver, most testing historically has been with a safety driver behind the wheel who can take over in case of emergency. New regulations adopted by the state took effect in April, however, allowing companies to test on public roads without a driver if they are granted a special permit.
As part of winning approval, Waymo must continuously monitor the status of test vehicles and provide two-way communication with passengers, carry at least $5 million in insurance and notify local communities. The permit includes day and night testing on city streets, rural roads and highways with posted speed limits of up to 65 miles per hour. The company said its vehicles can safely handle fog and light rain, and testing in those conditions is allowed.
“California has been working toward this milestone for several years, and we will continue to keep the public’s safety in mind as this technology evolves,” said Jean Shiomoto, California’s Department of Motor Vehicles director.
Waymo said it will expand to other areas after it notifies local communities. The company will first use Waymo employees in tests and eventually “create opportunities for members of the public to experience this technology.”
The company has already been conducting some testing of vehicles without backup drivers in the state of Arizona and has said it plans to launch a commercial self-driving ride hailing service there by the end of 2018.
The new requirements additionally call for remote control technology, which allows for a remote operator to take control of a vehicle if the underlying autonomous system encounters problems. Companies such as Waymo and Nissan Motor Co, and startups Zoox, Phantom Auto and Starsky Robotics, have been working on developing this technology and bringing it to the market.
