KEY POINTS
  • Federal vehicle safety regulators have cleared the way for the production and deployment of truly driverless vehicles that do not include manual controls such steering wheels or pedals.
  • The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday issued final rules eliminating the need for highly automated and self-driving vehicles to need such controls.
  • The new rule emphasizes such cars "must continue to provide the same high levels of occupant protection as current passenger vehicles."
Cruise Origin

DETROIT – Federal vehicle safety regulators have cleared the way for the production and deployment of driverless vehicles that do not include manual controls such as steering wheels or pedals.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday issued final rules eliminating the requirement that cars with automated driving systems, or self-driving vehicles, include these conventional controls.