California's Self-Driving Games: May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor (and Your Car's Software)

The Golden State's New Arena

Well folks it seems even California wants in on the Hunger Games only this time it's with self driving vehicles. The California DMV (fancy name right?) is cooking up new rules for these metal contraptions. They're talking robotaxis driverless trucks – the whole shebang. Sounds like a Capitol party but I'm guessing there will be way more paperwork than champagne. Makes you wonder if they ever considered what happens when one of these things gets a flat in District 12...or worse in downtown Los Angeles during rush hour.

Tesla's Full Self Driving? More Like Fully Self Delusional

Ah Tesla. Elon Musk's pride and joy forever promising self driving cars like Peeta promised me the stars. But unlike Peeta Musk hasn't quite delivered. They’re still trying to get permits and haven’t managed to convince anyone their cars can drive themselves without a human safety net. Shares went up 10% anyway apparently optimism is still alive and well unlike some of the tributes and this is only on the hopes that the tariffs do not interfere. As Gale would say “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” But I think a lot of that hope comes from folks who've never actually tried to parallel park in San Francisco.

Waymo Zoox and WeRide: The Careers of the Autonomous World

While Tesla's busy fiddling with its code Waymo (Alphabet) Zoox (Amazon) and WeRide (China) are out there getting permits and actually *driving* people around. Waymo's even got a robotaxi service running in LA and the Bay Area. They're like the Careers of the self driving world – trained from birth to win. Makes you wonder if they're practicing their victory speeches already.

45 Days to Save the World (or at Least California's Roads)

The DMV's giving everyone 45 days to comment on these new regulations. That's like Prim's reaping – a chance to speak up before things get really dangerous. So if you have thoughts on robotaxis driverless trucks or just want to complain about California traffic now's your chance. But don't expect them to listen to a girl on fire. Unless of course I’m driving a self driving car… then maybe.

Testing Testing 1 2 3: Is This Thing On?

The proposed rules sound like a scavenger hunt from Haymitch you have to get a permit for this and another permit for that. The new rules would require driverless vehicle makers to obtain a permit for testing with a human safety driver on board then complete a certain number of test drive miles. They would then need to obtain another permit for driverless testing as well as a final permit to deploy driverless vehicles in California. Makes you wonder if they considered what happens if one of these things gets hijacked by a bunch of Peacekeepers gone rogue. Maybe they should add a 'self destruct' button just in case.

Data Reporting and First Responders: A New Kind of Alliance

Oh and get this AV makers have to report all sorts of data and play nice with first responders. Because let's be honest a driverless truck trying to explain itself to a firefighter is going to be a real treat. Good thing California's stepping up especially after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relaxed its reporting rules. And don't even get me started on that lawsuit against Tesla for 'deceptive marketing.' Seems like everyone's trying to survive in this arena.