Google Asks Michigan to Broaden Self-Driving-Car Law

Google Inc. wants the Michigan legislature to widen the definition of eligible companies in a proposed law designed to establish the state as a hub for autonomous vehicle research, the Detroit Free Press reports.

John Krafcik, who heads Google’s autonomous car program, says two provisions in the draft legislation could be used to block Google and other nonconventional carmakers from participating in state-supported testing and development work for such vehicles.

In a letter to the legislature’s House Communications and Technology committee, Krafcik complains the bill defines “motor vehicle manufacturer” as a company with a history of selling vehicles. He says the wording could exclude startup entrants such as Google that have no history of automotive retailing.

A second part of the law would require that autonomous vehicles operating in Michigan must be “supplied or controlled by a motor vehicle manufacturer.” Krafcik says the wording might be used to block cars that were made by one manufacturer and then modified and sold as autonomous vehicles by another company, such as Google.

The California-based company confirmed in May it was partnering with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV to produce a fleet of about 100 self-driving 2017 model Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Three weeks later Google announced plans to build a research center near Detroit through which to collaborate with auto industry partners on self-driving technologies.