Apple shows ambition to get into self-driving car race
Apple shows ambition to get into self-driving car race
By David Shepardson December 3, 2016
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Apple Inc is wading in to the
debate over regulation of self-driving cars, declaring it is excited about the
potential for automated transportation and calling on U.S. regulators not to
restrict testing of such vehicles.
A five-page letter from Steve Kenner, Apple's director of
product integrity, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the
company's most comprehensive statement yet about its interest in self-driving
vehicle technology. The Nov. 22 letter followed more than a year of industry
speculation about the computer and iPhone maker's plans for expanding into
transportation.
"The company is investing heavily in the study of
machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of
automated systems in many areas, including transportation," Kenner wrote.
"Executed properly under NHTSA's guidance, automated
vehicles have the potential to greatly enhance the human experience — to
prevent millions of car crashes and thousands of fatalities each year and to
give mobility to those without."
Apple urged regulators not to impose too many
restrictions on testing of self-driving cars, saying "established
manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally."
Since software would decide what actions to take in
potentially dangerous situations, Apple said certain areas need special
attention. These include the implications of algorithmic decisions for the
safety, mobility and legality of automated vehicles and their occupants,
ensuring privacy and security in design, and the impact of the cars on
employment and public spaces.
Some analysts forecast millions of jobs will be lost once
self-driving cars largely replace truck, taxi and Uber drivers, and eliminate
the need for most vehicle repairs, insurance adjusters and other functions.
Apple's letter was prompted by its heavy investment in
machine learning and autonomous systems, company spokesman Tom Neumayr said in
an emailed statement.
"There are many potential applications for these
technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with
NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry," he said.
In September, the Obama administration proposed
guidelines for the development of self-driving cars in a 15-point "safety
assessment," calling on automakers to voluntarily submit details of their
systems to regulators.
Apple executives have been coy about their interest in
cars. Chief Executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond
integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems.
But Apple has never confirmed reports last year that it
was hiring automotive industry engineers and designers to develop a driverless
electric car, or that those efforts have been sharply scaled back this year.
Other companies pursuing self-driving cars include
Alphabet Inc's Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Tesla
Motors Inc and General Motors Co.
Apple has reportedly held talks about investing in British
automaker McLaren Technology Group, but McLaren downplayed speculation that
Apple had proposed an investment.
Apple joins a range of automakers and tech companies that
have raised concerns about the proposed National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration policy on self-driving cars, and plans by California state
regulators to make complying with the safety assessment mandatory.
An auto trade group in November urged the incoming Trump
administration to conduct a "comprehensive regulatory review" of all regulations
and actions since Sept. 1, including the Obama administration's guidance on
self-driving vehicles.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Richard Chang)
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