On January 17th the California DMV will start accepting applications for autonomous 'light duty' vehicles under 10,001 lbs. There is currently only one company with self driving testing permits in California. This new policy will allow for both driver assisted and fully autonomous vehicles with no safety driver on board. Autonomous vehicles have been proposed to handle individual deliveries from local businesses.

With a Driver

Testing permits include traditional tests in full size vehicles. These permits would require that the permit applicant has done proper testing and has properly trained safety drivers in place. Most of the accidents involving autonomous vehicles have still had safety drivers in them.

Without a Driver

Completely autonomous cars will have a specific set of requirements, including a link back to a remote operator. They must also have a police interaction plan. Furthermore, they must notify local authorities when they plan on doing their testing. For in-public tests there are cyber security requirements and there has to be a method for the device to share information in case of a collision.

Lining Up

Waymo is currently the only company permitted to test fully autonomous vehicles in California. Waymo is focused on people moving, but could branch into delivery. Nuro makes completely autonomous delivery vehicles and has signaled a desire for test permits as well as Ford that has an autonomous car program.

Source: Autoblog