Highway Safety Group Says 60 GHz Important to Autonomous Vehicles

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety urged FCC action on revised rules for radars in the 60 GHz band, the subject of an NPRM last summer (see 2110180062), in a call with an aide to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “Advocates reiterated its support for expanding operational flexibility to enable the introduction of technology into motor vehicles to address the issue of hyperthermia deaths..., in particular children who have unknowingly been left in or entered vehicles without adult supervision,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 21-264. They “noted that radar-based occupant presence detection systems may be necessary for the safety of occupants when autonomous vehicles (AVs) are introduced to the fleet. Advocates foresees the need for AVs to be able to identify seat occupancy and restraint use so that all occupants are safely restrained before initiating any movements.”