Feds ease rules for autonomous vehicle testing to compete with China
Briefly

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is now requiring notification within 15 days for crashes meeting specific conditions, including damage thresholds and vehicle involvement. Additionally, it has announced exemptions for certain federal motor vehicle safety standards for US manufacturers, allowing innovative designs like robotaxis without mirrors or steering wheels to be deployed more easily. The automotive industry expressed support, with leaders emphasizing the urgent need for a regulatory framework to facilitate the advancement of autonomous vehicle technology in the US. However, staff layoffs at NHTSA raise concerns about its capacity to manage new regulations effectively.
NHTSA must be notified within 15 days for certain crashes, and exemptions for federal safety standards are now available for US manufacturers, promoting innovative designs.
This exemption promotes innovative designs, such as prototype vehicles, through an iterative review process that considers the overall safety of the vehicle.
John Bozzella stated that the technology of AVs works and can improve safety and mobility, stressing the need for a regulatory framework for full deployment.
There are concerns about the capability of NHTSA staff to handle the regulatory burden after layoffs following Elon Musk's orders, impacting autonomous vehicle safety.
Read at Ars Technica
[
|
]