Uber defies order to stop using self-driving cars in San Francisco

[TexasTowelie]

Uber said it will continue to operate its self-driving cars in San Francisco despite demands from the California Department of Motor Vehicles to cease its program or face legal action.

Anthony Levandowski, Uber's vice president for self-driving technology, argued Friday that the ride-hailing company's newest cars shouldn't be regulated like autonomous vehicles because they still require human drivers in case of emergency.

In essence, Uber's new fleet of taxis should be treated the same as Tesla, Levandowski said.

"It's hard to understand why the DMV would seek to require self-driving Ubers to get permits when it accepts that Tesla's Autopilot technology does not need them," he said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article121455062.html

[kimbutgar]

1. I grew up and live in SF and would never get into a driverless car going up a steep hill in SF

Or navigating rush hour traffic. Sorry.

[forgotmylogin]

2. How are they doing this?

If I called for an Uber and an empty car drove up to me, I'd swear I was being pranked.

[Johnathan146]

3. Its not empty

There is a driver who sits in the drivers seat and can drive the car if needed.

[forgotmylogin]

4. ooohhh...kay...

So what is the point of having the car on autopilot in the first place?

[California_Republic]

5. Testing phase

With a human as back up