by Gabe Zaldivar
Last updated: 11:30 AM ET, Fri December 23, 2016
Uber suffered some California growing pains in regards to its self-driving product line.
Reuters reports the ride-hailing company has had to apply the brakes on its self-driving test campaign throughout San Francisco thanks to a difference of opinion on what regulations should be followed as autonomous vehicles move forward throughout the state.
According to the report, California's Department of Motor Vehicles rescinded the registration of 16 vehicles belonging to Uber due to improper filing of permits.
Essentially, these self-driving cars didn't have the kind of paperwork commensurate with making a state agency feel warm and fuzzy about driverless cars buzzing around the area.
Uber, proclaiming that its self-driving test cars actually have humans behind the wheel during its trial phase took umbrage with the fact that it needed special licensing.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Anthony Bourdain Doesn't Hold Back On Trump Hotel Chefs [/READMORE]
In a fit of technological frustration, Uber has removed its Californian self-driving cars (It still operates test cases in Pittsburgh) but will examine how to proceed throughout the state.
The report cites a statement that reads: "We're now looking at where we can redeploy these cars but remain 100 percent committed to California and will be redoubling our efforts to develop workable statewide rules."
Uber's case may have been hindered by recent video that surfaced, purporting to show an Uber autonomous vehicle running a red light somewhere in San Francisco.
This latest chapter illustrates the issues that will face self-driving technology moving forward as companies and state agencies contend what each believes constitutes a car driving under its own volition and one operated by a cognizant human in the driver's seat.
It's just one of many stories that will show up before the technology becomes a far more entrenched part of the national infrastructure - something that seems far more likely despite these occasional speed bumps.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
