California Lawmakers and Drivers Pressure Regulators to Reign In Autonomous Vehicles

The state regulator is in the process of adopting new rules for autonomous vehicles — including when companies can be exempt from those rules and when the approval process should be streamlined.

One such exemption granted to Amazon’s Zoox allows the company to operate “purpose-built” autonomous vehicles on the road that don’t have traditional vehicle equipment for human drivers, like steering wheels or pedals.

Waymo also came under fire last year after one of the company’s autonomous vehicles hit and killed a beloved bodega cat in the Mission.

During the meeting, nearly three dozen people spoke against the CPUC’s proposal, claiming it doesn’t give local leaders enough authority over autonomous vehicles.

The CPUC’s current proposal would no longer require AV companies to get a separate approval notice before starting airport service, provided they have airport permission.