Google, GM, Lyft to Testify Before Congress on Importance of Autonomous Car Technology and What Government’s Role Should Be

Jennifer van der Kleut

Executives from some of the biggest names in the autonomous car race will testify on Capitol Hill next week on the importance of autonomous car technology in making driving safer, as well as offer advice on what the government’s role should be in crafting appropriate legislation to help America get there.

According to Reuters, Chris Urmson, the head of Google’s self-driving car project, along with executives from General Motors (GM), Delphi Automotive and ride-hailing app Lyft will be speaking before a Senate committee led by Senator John Thune, a South Dakota Republican that heads the Senate Commerce Committee.

Inverse reports that representatives from two Duke University departments-the Humans and Autonomy Lab and Duke Robotics-will also be joining them at the hearing.

Reuters reports that the committee wants to hear from these company reps on “advancements in autonomous vehicle technology and its anticipated benefits for Americans.”

In addition, the committee wants to hear their thoughts “on the appropriate role of government in promoting innovation, including removing unnecessary hurdles, and their strategy to grow consumer adoption of this new technology.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in January of this year that his goal was for the federal government to remove legislative obstacles to the development of autonomous and connected-car technology, and to develop a consistent national policy for testing within six months.

At the same time, the Obama Administration announced $4 billion in funding for autonomous and connected-car testing along designated corridors nationwide.

For more information about the hearing as well as a link where you can stream the hearing live, visit the Senate committee’s website.