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TECHNOLOGY A23
Thursday 19 November 2015

Google antsy as California slow on self-driving car rules

JUSTIN PRITCHARD settling complicated ques-

Associated Press tions the technology raises.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Califor- If the cars’ advanced sen-

nia (AP) — Google wants sors and computing pow-

the freedom to give the er can drive better than

public access to self-driv- humans, do they need a

ing cars it has been testing steering wheel and ped-

on public roads since the als? Would a person even

summer. Before granting need to be inside? Google

that permission, California says no on both.

regulators want tech ti- Regulators don’t want to

tan to prove these cars of be blamed for unneces-

the future already drive as sarily stalling the arrival of

safely as people. robo-chauffeurs that can

Delay is not what Google see farther, react faster

had in mind when it and don’t text, speed or

pushed the 2012 legisla- fall asleep. They’ve im-

tion that made California plored Google and tradi-

one of the few states offi- tional automakers also de-

cially to authorize self-driv- veloping the technology

ing cars. Google’s hope to share safety data, but

was to trade the indepen- companies in competition

dence to innovate without don’t willingly reveal trade

government oversight for secrets. This Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, photo provided by Virginia Tech shows the Automated Vehicle Info
regulatory certainty. While self-driving cars are Center display panel of a self-driving car during a test ride showing the alert system handing
California’s Department of not close to being widely over control to the driver on a local street in Blacksburg, Va. Associated Press

Motor Vehicles was sup- available, Google hinted More recently, the proj- anywhere, any time. It is driving mode. While that

posed to write precedent- in 2014 it wanted to get ect’s leader, Chris Urmson, limited to places Google accident rate appears to

setting rules of the road by self-driving cars into pub- has said he doesn’t want has surveyed in far greater be higher than for human

last Jan. 1. Nearly a year lic hands as early as 2016, his eldest son to need a detail than its online maps. drivers (though Google dis-

later, it is still struggling. probably starting with em- driver’s license when he It can’t handle fog or snow. putes that), accident sum-

The agency is geared to ployees outside its small turns 16 in 3-1/2 years. Top speed: 25 mph. maries Google has pub-

administering driving tests corps of self-driving car ex- The bubble-shaped, two- Google’s 73 cars are lished say its cars did not

and registering cars, not perts. seater prototype can’t go among the 98 test vehicles cause any accident.

that California’s DMV has Google has pressed Cali-

Latest channel to offer itself given 10 companies per- fornia’s DMV to publish
mission to test publicly. regulations far harder than
Though trained test drivers any other company.

sans cable bundle: Univision must sit behind the wheel, “Our team is concerned
Google wants to remove about the delay,” accord-
the wheel and pedals for ing to an invitation for a

TALI ARBEL the general public. Its ar- conference call last De-

AP Business Writer gument: It would be safer cember that Google sent

NEW YORK (AP) — Univision to take all control away California officials, who

is the latest media compa- than expect a person to released it under a public

ny to offer a streaming ser- snap safely to attention in records act request.

vice as it prepares for an an emergency. Both before and after,

initial public offering. As a famously data-driven Google representatives

Following in the footsteps company, Google pro- consistently checked with

of HBO, CBS and Show- poses a composite sketch officials at the DMV and

time, broadcast networks of evidence would show its California State Transporta-

Univision and UniMás can cars are safe. tion Agency about the sta-

now be streamed for $6 a Each day, Google runs tus of rules. State officials

month or $60 a year. more than 3 million miles have trooped from Sacra-

The two channels are al- (nearly 5 million kilome- mento to Silicon Valley for

ready free to anyone with This Aug. 5, 2003, file photo, shows the exterior of Univision’s ters) of computerized driv- test rides, while Google’s
a TV and an antenna. The ing simulations. Engineers technical experts and lob-
new service, called Uni- Los Angeles headquarters. Associated Press devise challenging real- byists have headed to the

vision Now, is geared to- creasingly moving online, cer games are. (CBS’ sub- world situations, then see capital for briefings or talks

ward people who want causing volatility in the scription service has some how the cars respond. A about regulation writing.

to watch on their phones, shares of media compa- sports blackouts.) “functional safety analysis” At the DMV, officials have

computers and tablets. nies. Univision and UniMás Local news from Houston, assesses what hardware pleaded for input from

You would also be able are already available as Los Angeles and New York or software might fail and Google and traditional

to watch shows on a TV part of a $5 add-on pack that Univision broadcasts is how to minimize those risks. automakers to help set

through Apple’s AirPlay, on Sling TV, Dish Network’s available and other mar- Public road testing is the a clear, objective safety

which lets you beam from online mini-bundle. kets will be added, said last piece. Google reports standard. At a meeting in

your iPhone or iPad to the Streams are live, and there Univision spokeswoman its cars have been involved May in Washington, tradi-

screen. is a “DVR” function that Rosemary Mercedes. in 17 collisions over 2.2 mil- tional automakers joined

The media company with stores all video for up to Univision Communica- lion miles (3.5 million kilo- Google in voicing concern

a huge Hispanic audience three days. Not every- tions Inc. also owns cable meters) of testing, nearly that regulation — particu-

announced an IPO in July. thing on the channels will channels and has digital 1.3 million miles (about 2 larly in California — could

But TV watchers are in- be on the app, but soc- investments like Flama.q million kilometers) in self- stifle innovation.q