Cars without steering wheels could debut in 2019.
To meet safety standards, GM will launch a line of autonomous vehicles without steering wheels. The company has filed a proposal with the U.S. Department of Transportation on this matter.
If the U.S. Department of Transportation approves GM's safety proposal, the company could deploy a vehicle without a steering wheel and accelerator pedal next year. The vehicle is a fully autonomous version of the Chevy Bolt, called the 2019 Cruise AV.
The company describes it as the first fully autonomous car, with no driver, steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or manual controls.
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| This GM model has no steering wheel or accelerator pedal. (Photo)Englandt |
Compared to the Chevy Bolts GM is testing in California, the Cruise AV is significantly different. It has no control buttons; no matter where you sit, you're just a passenger. It can even open and close its doors automatically.
Currently, self-driving cars do not meet federal safety standards. Automakers can apply for tax exemptions, but the government only approves 2,500 vehicles per year.
GM's chairman, Dan Ammann, said the company doesn't want to ask for a tax exemption; instead, they will meet the standards in a different way. He said the company will install airbags on the passenger side, which would help the vehicles meet safety standards. The company has submitted a proposal to request permission on this matter.
Last year, many automakers and transport companies banded together to call for changes to the law. Michael Abelson, vice president of GM, said that if the law doesn't change, new technologies will take years to implement and a host of accidents could occur.
As regulations change, new automakers may be able to launch fully autonomous vehicles. GM may be one step ahead, but rivals like Ford, Mercedes, and Waymo are also planning to launch vehicles without steering wheels.
