Gavin Newsom sides with the robots in autonomous vehicle debate


Autonomous Trucks

ARTICLE SOURCE

“They think I’m not embracing the future,” said Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), who’s carrying the bill to prohibit autonomous trucks without humans onboard. | Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty ImagesState lawmakers and union allies who want to slow the rollout of autonomous trucks have pointed to San Francisco’s struggles as a cautionary tale. The agency noted autonomous vehicles have driven more than 18 million miles on California roads with no collision fatalities and few injuries. Industry advocates argue they would complement human workers, and point to a shortage of truckers and research saying autonomous trucks could generate economic activity. Viscelli said that ubiquitous autonomous trucks could squeeze unionized workforces like the United Parcel Service.