California Says Pedals, Steering Wheel Not Necessary in Self-Driving Cars

The state of California is allowing self-driving cars without pedals or a steering wheel to test on public roads.

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that for the first time, allows self-driving cars to test on public roads without steering wheels, brake pedals of accelerators. A human driver isn’t even required as backup, but vehicles will be limited to speeds of less than 35 mph.

Now before you panic thinking that these vehicles will be tested all over the state, the legislation only applies to a pilot project by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority at an autonomous vehicle testing facility at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, as well as a San Ramon business park with public roads.

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Honda has been testing vehicles at the “GoMentum Station” as well as Uber-owned Otto Motors. The Transportation Authority mentioned both Google and Apple have expressed interest in testing at the facility.

[Source: The Mercury News]