Intel Hails NHTSA Autonomous Car Guidelines as ‘Encouraging US Innovation’

Intel joined those hailing the Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for releasing their long-awaited guidelines on autonomous vehicles (see 1609200039). Intel “commends DOT/NHTSA’s interest in encouraging U.S. innovation, as well as seeking a consistent national framework across all 50 states for the testing, deployment and operation of highly automated vehicles,” said Marjorie Dickman, global director and managing counsel-IoT policy, in a Tuesday blog post. The company also wants the agencies to “invest a larger portion of its ‘innovation’ grant funding in autonomous vehicles,” Dickman said. “Increased investment -- along with removing unnecessary barriers and promoting autonomous vehicle research and deployment -- are critical to U.S. global competitiveness in the 21st century and, most importantly, to saving more lives.” Autonomous cars just five years ago “seemed like a far off ‘Jetsons’ fantasy,” but they’re now “just around the corner,” she said. Intel, BMW and Mobileye announced plans in July to bring autonomous vehicles to streets by 2021 (see 1607010052).