Driverless Car Data Shows Robots Are Improving But Still Need Human Hands
California records show safety operators in GM and Waymo test vehicles are taking the wheel less
Even the best driverless cars today have problems with tough driving conditions like recognizing uneven terrain or navigating difficult weather. One startup is developing technology to serve as a missing link: controlling the car by remote control. Phantom Auto is hoping its technology could help autonomous cars reach market later this year. Photo: Jake Nicol for The Wall Street Journal
As General Motors Co., Waymo and other companies race to develop fully driverless vehicles, new California state records show these companies are making progress but are still relying on human safety operators to take control of the wheel at times.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Wednesday released self-reported data from companies with permits to test autonomous vehicles on public roads. The reports offer a glimpse into the progress of developing driverless technology, which could reshape personal transportation...