Look for Self-Driving (SD), Autonomous (AV), Driverless (DV) Vehicles to Come on Strong in 2025+. (A discussion of vehicles that are directed and controlled by a source outside of the traditional driver often employs any one or all three of these terms to connote a transportation vehicle that has no driver within the auto; the vehicle is often controlled by forces outside the vehicle and computers in and outside the vehicle. This Tip discussion will use the “DV” term.)
This subject of DV is not new. It has been around for many years. We have written on this subject in journal articles, presented discussions on the same, and we undertook conferences that have examined the status and state of DV both within and outside the US.
Ah! But now, following the election of President Trump, coupled with his support for this technology and his relationship with Elon Musk, there has been an air of increased focus on the development and use of DV within the US.
The support for DV has been growing over the last few years within the US. It has not been limited to the DV position advocated and produced in large part by Tesla and the Musk position. With the advent of a new President and the Trump administration, there is an impetus and force behind a more expedited development and implementation of DV throughout the US.
Concomitant with the focus on reducing governmental regulations in general and the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), it appears that regulations and “red tape” associated with DV in the US will be reduced—quickly and efficiently.
Supporting this position, a recent article by Eric Stafford in Car and Driver (11/18/2024) noted that Federal regulations as to DV will be carefully examined, with the result expected to prioritize the need to reduce regulations on DV and allow the US to accelerate the DV development in the US.
Some of the comments by Mr. Stafford reference a Bloomberg article entitled “Trump Team Is Seeking to Ease US Rules for Self-Driving Cars,”
In this article apparently the governmental controls over DV will be reduced, with encouragement for more technological development and advances for DV.
Along these lines, many entrepreneurs in the US that are focusing on DV should find more support for the development and implementation of DV, including accelerated testing of DV throughout the US.
Elon Musk has unveiled his position on a new DV from Tesla, the Cybercab. Mr. Musk expects (through his ever-present optimistic outlook) to have the Cybercab operational to some degree in 2026.
With the US Government under the Trump Administration supporting the active research and development of DV, coupled with “right-hand” men to the President elect, such as Musk, look to have many more DV on the road in 2025 and coming years.
Consistent with this prognostication, Mr. Stafford noted that one of the governmental entities addressing DV, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), not only allows for current exemptions to support manufacturers to test DV, but it appears that such exemptions will be substantially enlarged to allow even more and faster testing of DV for the roads in the US.
This enlarged governmental support for DV has not been lost on major corporations investing in the DV position. Although billions have already been invested in DV by such corporations as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, with the supportive outlook on DV by the Trump Administration, look for more DV research and testing to be enhanced in 2025 and coming years by these and many other entities that see the value of DV in the coming years.
By
Dr/ Professor Mark Lee Levine, University of Denver
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