The update now recognizes the changing nature of vehicles on our streets, and acknowledges, in the case of self-driving cars, that they may not have a steering wheel, pedals, and other components typically required for human operation. In some cases, self-driving vehicles don\u2019t even have space for human passengers, but were previously required to meet the same standards set for passenger vehicles.<\/p>\n
These new rules will allow developers to build leaner vehicles for dedicated purposes, like self-driving delivery robots, that don\u2019t contain unnecessary equipment. Developers also won\u2019t be required to put driverless and passenger-less vehicles through safety testing that is designed to uncover how well-protected human passengers will be in the event of an accident.<\/p>\n
[Read: How Netflix shapes mainstream culture, explained by data<\/span><\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n Spokespeople for the NHTSA said it has taken steps to update the FMVSS guidance so that antiquated regulations don\u2019t present a barrier to the development of autonomous vehicles.<\/p>\n As Ars Technica points out<\/a>, companies that develop cargo-only autonomous vehicles stand to benefit the most from this shift in regulations.<\/p>\n Companies like Nuro, that develop self-driving delivery robots, have had to add components like windshields and wing mirrors to its vehicles<\/a> \u2014 even though they aren\u2019t needed at all \u2014 just because regulations say so. However, Nuro has been granted a number of exemptions in the past, but it\u2019s a bureaucratic headache that isn\u2019t really needed.<\/p>\n It might sound alarming that vehicles on US roads won\u2019t be held to the same safety standards as current passenger vehicles. In reality, this won\u2019t make self-driving vehicles less safe, as they will still be required to protect pedestrians to the same degree as before. If anything, it might make autonomous vehicles slightly safer, as they don\u2019t need excess components just because regulations say so.<\/p>\n The main difference is autonomous cars and delivery robots won\u2019t need unnecessary features, like seatbelts, airbags, and wing mirrors, if all they carry is groceries or online shopping deliveries.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not entirely clear when these new directions will come into force. But given they come into action 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register, we can expect the new rules by summer, at the earliest.<\/p>\n The full update from the NHTSA can be read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a>SHIFT<\/a> is brought to you by Polestar. It\u2019s time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility. That is why Polestar combines electric driving with cutting-edge design and thrilling performance.<\/span><\/i> Find out how<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Published January 18, 2021 \u2014 08:47 UTC <\/p>\n
\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2020\/07\/Polestar_wordmark_pos.png\")
<\/figure>\n