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Google's self-driving car system gets a legal fillip

By Wong Chung Wee - on 10 Feb 2016, 6:09pm

Google's self-driving car system gets a legal fillip

(Image source: Google)

In the eyes of the law, Google’s self-driving car system may soon get the same treatment as a human driver, well, at least in the United States of America. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a Federal agency of the U.S. government, which governs the country’s roads and motor vehicle safety, has given support to Google’s self-driving car system.

In a letter to the company that was made public this week, NHTSA has stated that it’s within reason to consider the Self-Driving System (SDS) as “...actually driving the vehicle.” This is because in a self-driving system, there isn’t a human driver, in the traditional sense. As observed by BBC, NHTSA’s blessings will mean Google’s self-driving vehicle is a step closer to being allowed on public roads in the United States. The car also “...fits the key criteria required to pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards test.”

(Image source: Google)

NHTSA's affirmation isn’t a ruling that will allow self-driving vehicles to ply the roads in the United States any time soon; however, the agency's blessings may just smooth the way for Google to see its self-driving program to a roaring success.

(Source: NHTSA, BBC, Google)

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