Google’s self-driving car
A demonstration project to see if self-driving vehicles could be used on Minnesota roads by people with disabilities — that’s the focus of a bill that’s moving forward in the Minnesota Senate. Joan Willshire with the Minnesota State Council on Disability told lawmakers self-driving cars have great potential to advance social inclusion for Minnesotans with disabilities, including those with visual impairment. She says people could have “independent mobility to get to school, jobs, and participate just like every other American.” Hutchinson Senator Scott Newman says while he agrees with the concept of giving Minnesotans with disabilities more access, “self-driving or autonomous vehicles themselves have not yet proven to be safe on the highway.” Saint Cloud Senator John Pederson suggested the trials be done on State Patrol test tracks or the like to minimize risk to the public.