With the rise of new technologies that are making self-driving cars smarter and more efficient, companies such as Uber have been trying to get into the market -- and on the road. But the recent news that the popular ride-share company shut down it's self-driving car program in San Francisco and shipped its inventory to Arizona may signal the self-driving car movement may not be ready for the road. What do you think? What does this move signal? Is Uber's self-driving program heading to the parking lot or about to get a new ride on the highway?
Read on to learn the top three expectations you should have for Uber self-driving cars in the future. Don't miss these surprising findings about Uber's new self-driving program!
What Happened in San Francisco?
It seems that the decision to move Uber's self-driving car program to Arizona is rooted in California law. Regulators asked that Uber apply for a $150 permit per car to test the self-driving cars on public roads. But Uber thought this regulation was unnecessary, and it could get around the law in another state. The reason Uber didn't think it needed to apply for the permit is because it's cars are not completely autonomous, or they are operated with a driver behind the wheel should anything go wrong with self-driving car on a public road. But what really forced Uber out of California is the state's Department of Motor Vehicles revoked the self-driving vehicle registrations that Uber owns -- leaving the company no choice but to ship its cars to another state.
A Welcome From Arizona
But California's loss has become Arizona's gain. And shortly after California sent Uber packing, the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said Uber could come to the state and wouldn't have to pay for special permits to put the self-driving cars on Arizona roads. In addition, minimum insurance requirements in Arizona can easily be met with each of the cars and verified should the car be stopped because a driver will be in each car. The issue of verifying insurance has been a question in the minds of some regulators and safety enforcers as the self-driving technology has developed. But with a semi-autonomous vehicle like Uber is using, this concern has been met.
Where Will Self-Driving Technology Go in Arizona?
Arizona Governor Ducey seems on board with self-driving technology in Arizona and creating routes for more technology to be studied, tested and advanced. For example, Governor Ducey established the Self-Driving Vehicle Oversight Committee to explore the new technology and to better learn how to advance it in the state.
In addition, the University of Arizona has been working on technology mapping initiative for the cars on the university campus, and Uber has responded positively. The company has given the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona a grant of $25,000 to continue their research. This is a partnership that seems to be strong. Therefore, we think these new advancements signal that not only is Arizona open to developing the technology in the state for the future but Uber may be there to stay for some time!
Ready to Get in a Self-Driving Car?
If you're in Arizona, now is your chance to be part of Uber's self-driving program. As a passenger, you'll always be in a self-driving car with a driver -- so if anything goes wrong from the control room, your driver is there to intervene and to respond. This semi-autonomous set-up makes many new passengers -- and drivers -- to the self-driving car movement feel more at ease on the road. For now, it looks like Uber's self-driving program in Arizona is here to stay -- pushing the ride-share company into the future of modern driving!