Why Law, Governance, and Trust Matter as Much as Technology

Autonomous vehicles are not just a technical challenge, but also a governance challenge.

TL;DR
• Autonomous vehicles face regulatory hurdles and public acceptance challenges.
• Regulation is crucial for the deployment of autonomous vehicles.
• Public acceptance is shaped by perception and trust.

Summary
Autonomous vehicles are often seen as a technical inevitability, but their deployment is hindered by a lack of permission from regulators and the public. The primary challenge is not technical, but rather a governance challenge. Regulation and public acceptance are crucial for autonomous vehicles to move beyond trials and into everyday use.

The existing regulatory framework for road transport assumes human responsibility, which is challenged by autonomous vehicles. There is no single global framework for autonomous vehicles, and regulation is emerging unevenly across jurisdictions.

Key insights include:
• Regulation and public acceptance are essential for widespread deployment of autonomous vehicles.
• The existing regulatory framework needs to adapt to accommodate autonomous vehicles.
• Public trust in autonomous vehicles is shaped by perception, transparency, and explainability.
• Gradual deployment and constraint are more effective than bold promises in building public trust.

The United States and China have different approaches to regulating autonomous vehicles. The US has a decentralized approach, while China has a more permissive approach.

Autonomous vehicle deployment will depend on law, liability, and public confidence. Trust is the final milestone, and it will be achieved when societies believe autonomous vehicles are understandable, accountable, and aligned with public interest.

Regulators want predictability, evidence, and responsibility from autonomous vehicle developers. They prioritize long-term reliability over spectacle.

The shift underway is from permission to test to permission to operate, which depends on governance, not just technology.

Autonomous vehicles will arrive first where regulation allows, trust has been built, and use cases are clear. Technology will continue to improve, but widespread deployment will depend on law, liability, and public confidence.

Autonomous vehicles will not succeed if they are perceived as benefiting technology companies at the expense of workers and communities.