Uber takes self-driving cars to Arizona after California demands permit

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

TECHNOLOGY NEWS | Thu Dec 22, 2016 | 4:32pm EST

Uber takes self-driving cars to Arizona after California demands permit

By Heather Somerville and Alexandria Sage | SAN FRANCISCO

Uber Technologies Inc on Thursday removed its self-driving test cars from California and put them on trucks bound for Arizona, shuttering the autonomous vehicle project in its home state after a week-long battle with regulators.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Wednesday revoked the registration of 16 cars in Uber's self-driving fleet, which the regulator said lacked the proper permits. Uber's self-driving program had been up and running in San Francisco for just a week, and all the while the company was embroiled in a dispute with the state DMV and attorney general.

"Our cars departed for Arizona this morning by truck," an Uber spokeswoman said in a written statement. "We'll be expanding our self-driving pilot there in the next few weeks."

San Francisco was to be Uber's second testing ground for its self-driving cars after Pittsburgh, but the company immediately faced a backlash from the DMV, which requires a permit to test autonomous vehicles on public roads. Uber refused to apply for the permit, arguing that state regulations do not apply to its cars, which require constant monitoring and interference by someone in the car.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-selfdriving-idUSKBN14B2B3

[frazzled]

1. They are the deregulation kings

And that is why I don't use Uber. I am opposed to their skirting local and state regulations on every level. They seem to want to do everything they want with no government oversight for safety or labor standards. Pooh.

(Well, I've been in an Uber car once, but only because someone else ordered it and I was going to the airport with them; otherwise, call me a taxi or call me stubborn.)