Uber’s self driving cars in ArizonaTop Stories

February 23, 2017 16:17
Uber’s self driving cars in Arizona

It is now almost two months since first Uber loaded its fleet of self driving SUVs into the trailer of a self driving truck and took off to Arizona is a self-driving huff. Now the company is planning to launch its second experiment in autonomous ride hailing.

Uber has the support of Governor Doug Ducey, who is a Republican and is he is expected to be “Rider Zero” on an autonomous trip along with Anthony Levandowski, the Vice President of Uber’s Advanced Technology Group.

The Arizona pilot comes after California’s Department of Motor Vehicles revoked the registration of Uber’s 16 self-driving cars because the company refused to apply for the appropriate permits for testing autonomous cars.

Residents of Tempe can now hail a self driving Volo on the Uber app. All the trips will include two engineers from the company in the front seats as safety drivers, if it is needed, they will take over control from the vehicle’s software.

The ride-hailing company said it hopes to expand the coverage area to other cities in the state. Uber first started allowing riders to take trips in its self driving cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania last September.

The drama between the company and California ended within a week, as Uber launched its autonomous pilot program in San Francisco in December last year. It felt that California self regulations did not apply to its cars as there was always a driver present and ready to take over.

Uber needed to get permit the California DMV said. But, the company refused and California revoked the registration of the 16 cars.

One of the self driving vehicles was caught running at a red light, hours after the Uber’s fleet of autonomous pilot cars began to pick up passenger in San Franciso.

To test autonomous vehicles on the roads California requires companies to register for an autonomous driving permit.

On the other hand, Arizona has taken a different route. Governor Ducey signed an executive order in late August 2015. The order directed various to undertake necessary steps to support the testing and operation of self-driving vehicles on public roads within Arizona.

The self driving vehicles are a big step for the company to conduct the majority of trips in self driving cars, but the autonomous cars have still real world hurdles in its path. Uber’s has had a spate of bad press lately, from #DeleteUber to allegations of rampant sexism

So it is not sure if the self driving vehicles will do much to repairs its reputation.

Arizona lawmakers proposes bill to push private cab services

AMandeep

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