Car safety chief backs self-driving cars

Greg Gardner | Detroit Free Press

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YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The government wants to encourage, not bog down the technologies that enable cars to drive themselves and communicate with each other to prevent collisions, the head of the federal auto safety agency said today.

But Mark Rosekind, administrator of the National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration, also said cybersecurity and privacy must be priorities in order to build consumer acceptance.

"NHTSA is not interested in erecting roadblocks to safety innovations. We want to encourage that," said Rosekind, speaking at the Automated Vehicle Symposium in Ypsilanti.

Rosekind's comments were meant to allay worries that the regulatory process could hinder progress of that technology.

But he did warn that everyone contributing to the rapidly evolving technology must focus on delivering it, not just with safety in the traditional sense of avoiding traffic accidents, but in preventing cybersecurity attacks. Such attacks could hurt consumer acceptance of the new technology.

"We will have to help people who can't tell LIDAR from a coffee maker," Rosekind said. "Whether for profit or for malicious intent we know these systems will become targets for bad actors. We must reassure vehicle owners that their data is secure, their vehicles are secure."

On other matters Rosekind said:

•The government is willing to share some of the wireless spectrum necessary for the type of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, but other users must be aware of their impact on connected cars.

•Automakers, suppliers, software developers and telecommunication providers must find a way to work together to solve cybersecurity and privacy issues.

•The auto industry can learn from the cooperation airline companies have adopted to learn from crashes.​

"You never see a four- or five-star rating on the side of an airplane when you board," Rosekind said, even as he acknowledged NHTSA's role in establishing those ratings that automakers use to promote their vehicles.