Cruise, in partnership with GM and the disability community, including BraunAbility, Q’Straint, and members of the Cruise Accessibility Council, has unveiled the “WAV” (wheelchair accessible vehicle), which is being hailed as the world’s first self-driving vehicle designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt stated that designing a self-driving vehicle that can cater to as many wheelchair users as possible presented a distinct technical challenge, but one that Cruise has successfully overcome. The vehicle is set to undergo closed-course testing next month, with plans to initiate a pilot program next year.
Wayve Launches Vision-Language-Action Model for Self-Driving
Wayve, a self-driving technology company, has introduced LINGO-1, a unique vision-language-action model (VLAM) that aims to enhance the learning and explainability of its AI Driver technology, which powers self-driving vehicles. Previous AI neural nets have been criticized as “black boxes” due to their limited insight into decision-making processes. With LINGO-1, Wayve aims to provide deeper insight into the reasoning capabilities of its AI models to ensure the development of a safe driving intelligence for self-driving vehicles. By incorporating natural language, LINGO-1 can explain the reasoning behind driving actions and respond to questions about various driving scenarios. This breakthrough technology not only improves the interpretability of AI models but also accelerates the learning process and builds trust in AI decision-making.
Teamsters Release Autonomous Vehicle Federal Policy Principles
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has recently published an Autonomous Vehicle Federal Policy Principles document, offering guidance to federal policymakers on addressing key issues related to autonomous vehicles (AVs). With the rising number of accidents involving self-driving cars and trucks, the Teamsters emphasize the importance of prioritizing both worker safety and public safety in federal AV policies. Their principles include regulating the vehicle in terms of manufacturing and performance standards, regulating the operator and the circumstances of their operation, regulating safe vehicle operations, considering the interaction with existing laws, and addressing workforce impacts. The Teamsters urge Congress to take action on AV legislation to protect workers and ensure safety standards are enforced.
California Senate Passes AV Bill Supported by Teamsters
The California Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill, supported by the Teamsters, which requires a trained human operator to be present in autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. California Assembly Bill 316 (AB 316) received bipartisan support and aims to address safety concerns by mandating human oversight in larger autonomous vehicles. The bill reinforces the need for human presence during operations to ensure the safety of drivers and the general public. The Teamsters have strongly advocated for the adoption of this legislation, emphasizing the importance of protecting workers and ensuring the safe commercialization of autonomous vehicles.
Sources:
– Cruise
– Wayve
– International Brotherhood of Teamsters