Google, Uber, Lyft, Ford and Volvo, all of which are working on self-driving car technology, have formed a lobbying group to take on government regulations of autonomous vehicles.
The group, which calls itself the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets, argues that self-driving cars will reduce the severity and frequency of crashes, but that more needs to be done by legislators to facilitate the implementation of autonomous technology into production models.
The lobby group says it will work with lawmakers, regulators and the public “to realise the safety and social benefits it provides”.
Volvo’s chief executive, Håkan Samuelsson, has been particularly vocal. “The sooner AD [autonomous driving] cars are on the roads, the sooner lives will start being saved," he said. "[But] the car industry cannot do it all by itself, we need governmental help.”
Ford has has also emphasised the importance of new legislation, saying it believes fully autonomous vehicles will help people travel more safely while also bringing mobility to those who currently are unable to drive.
The UK is at the forefront of autonomous technology development. Jaguar Land Rover’s own self-driving project recently received £3.41 million worth of funding from the UK government, and Volvo will be using London’s roads to test its future systems.
