NHTSA Has Turned Musk's Robotaxi Vision into Reality by Discontinuing Crash Reports | Carscoops

      Tesla and its competitors benefit as exemption limits and domestic AV testing regulations are relaxed

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       by Stephen Rivers

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      The NHTSA has just introduced a new framework aimed at reducing bureaucracy and accelerating innovation.

      This will influence how autonomous vehicles are introduced to the market and the technology that supports them.

      It's expected to significantly impact Tesla’s ambitions for Level 5 technology later this year.

      

      The journey toward fully autonomous vehicles has become somewhat shorter, at least theoretically. After months of speculation and pressure from the industry, the NHTSA has officially updated several essential policies related to self-driving technology. The revised plan modifies how crashes are reported, minimizes regulatory oversight, and outlines a pathway for increased innovation. That’s the positive interpretation; if anyone is likely to gain from this, it’s probably Elon Musk.

      The plan, referred to as the new Automated Vehicle (AV) Framework, has three primary objectives: first, to focus on safety; second, to foster innovation; and third, to facilitate commercial deployment. The specific methods for achieving these goals will be the most intriguing aspect.

      More: Musk’s DOGE Purges NHTSA Experts On Self-Driving Risks, Guess Who Benefits?

      "This Administration recognizes that we are in a competition with China to innovate more effectively, and the stakes are incredibly high," stated U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy. "As part of DOT’s innovation strategy, this new framework will reduce bureaucracy and move us closer to a unified national standard that encourages innovation while prioritizing safety."

      Leveling Down Crash Transparency

      Several months ago, some speculated that the NHTSA might eliminate the AV crash reporting requirement entirely. While that’s not the case, the regulations for reporting crashes are changing. Previously, crashes involving vehicles with Level 2 (and higher) driving technology needed to be reported. Now, Level 2 cars, such as those manufactured by Tesla, Ford, GM, and Stellantis, are exempt from this reporting obligation.

      In fact, Level 3 vehicles, including those sold by Mercedes, are also exempt. Only accidents involving cars with Level 4 driving technology and higher need to be reported.

      Ultimately, this implies a reduction in transparency regarding crash data for Level 2 and Level 3 driving systems. Although this will expedite the government’s ability to monitor incidents involving Level 4 and above vehicles, it leaves most individuals, aside from the manufacturers, unaware of the safety performance of Level 2 and 3 systems. This is a significant alteration, but it’s not the sole noteworthy change.

      AV Exemptions Expand to U.S.-Built Cars

      Additionally, the government will extend the AV Exemption Program to include vehicles manufactured in the U.S. Previously, the program primarily allowed vehicles that did not comply with federal standards for U.S. roads to operate and be tested on public highways. Now, the government will permit domestically built cars to also participate in this program and be tested on public roads, even if they don’t meet certain criteria.

      Finally, the new principles will facilitate greater commercial deployment, although the government has not yet provided detailed information on what that entails. It is anticipated that it will eliminate limits on the number of commercial AVs permitted for each manufacturer. Under the previous standard, Tesla would have required a special exemption to deploy more than 2,500 AVs nationwide. Now, it seems the way is clear for many more robotaxis to hit the roads.

      “By streamlining the SGO for Crash Reporting and broadening an existing exemption program for domestic vehicles, we are allowing AV manufacturers to develop more rapidly and spend less time on unnecessary processes while still promoting safety,” remarked NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser. “These are initial steps toward creating a more inviting environment for the next generation of automotive technology in America.”

      Whether this vision results in safer roads or simply raises more questions about who is controlling the vehicle (or the algorithm) remains to be seen.