Congress urges auto industry to draft new audiovisual material bill

Congress calls on players in the autonomous automotive industry to help revive their efforts to draft a bill to accelerate the adoption of autonomous vehicles and put in place a regulatory framework, according to a new letter obtained by The edge.

The House Committee on Energy and Trade and the Senate Commerce Committee have teamed up to draft a bipartite, bicameral bill on autonomous cars, according to the letter. The letter invites stakeholders to comment on various issues related to autonomous vehicles, including cybersecurity, privacy, access for persons with disabilities, and expansion testing with committees.

"The purpose of this application is to be as inclusive as possible," the letter says. It is unclear how many groups received the request for comment, but legislators said they were engaging with both the automotive and security groups.

"At the moment, different countries are exploring the regulations that will shape the future of autonomous vehicles, and the United States risks losing its leadership in this life-saving and disruptive technology. Congress to go ahead now, this year, "said a spokesman. for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said after the announcement.

Last year, the House pbaded the SELF DRIVE Act, but the complementary bill introduced in the Senate, the AV START Act, was not pbaded. Senate Democrats refused to support the measure because of the lack of security protection. Both committees hope to build on what they have achieved in both bills, but since the Democrats control the House this time, it is likely that additional terms of security and cybersecurity will be included.

"We are at a critical juncture in the development of self-driving technologies," wrote the E & C Republican leaders earlier this spring, asking the committee to look again at the legislation on the subject. during this session. "We have the opportunity to support life-saving technologies, create mobility benefits for many communities and support jobs and innovation in the United States against growing foreign competition."