Driverless cars will make their way onto the streets of California after state Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill legalizing the measure on Tuesday.
The state executive appeared at Google headquarters during the day, arriving in one of the tech provider’s driverless vehicles, noted a BBC report.
“Autonomous vehicles are another example of how California’s technological leadership is turning today’s science fiction into tomorrow’s reality,” commented the governor in a press release.
Brown also said the measure would “allow California’s pioneering engineers to safely test and implement this amazing new technology.”
The bill itself sets up safety standards and tasks California Department of Motor Vehicles to institute regulations within the next three years. And while many may think driverless vehicles could impose a threat to common motorists, their effect could be the opposite.
The initiative’s backers have actually suggested the technology could cut down on things like pollution, traffic congestion and most importantly, fatalities. Their presence could also provide more transportation options for those disabled and elderly.
According to the BBC, Google is currently testing a fleet of twelve vehicles. It remains to be seen, meanwhile, if other states will follow suit.
The state executive appeared at Google headquarters during the day, arriving in one of the tech provider’s driverless vehicles, noted a BBC report.
“Autonomous vehicles are another example of how California’s technological leadership is turning today’s science fiction into tomorrow’s reality,” commented the governor in a press release.
Brown also said the measure would “allow California’s pioneering engineers to safely test and implement this amazing new technology.”
The bill itself sets up safety standards and tasks California Department of Motor Vehicles to institute regulations within the next three years. And while many may think driverless vehicles could impose a threat to common motorists, their effect could be the opposite.
The initiative’s backers have actually suggested the technology could cut down on things like pollution, traffic congestion and most importantly, fatalities. Their presence could also provide more transportation options for those disabled and elderly.
According to the BBC, Google is currently testing a fleet of twelve vehicles. It remains to be seen, meanwhile, if other states will follow suit.
