Rutherford Questions Duffy on Autonomous Vehicle Development

Representative John Rutherford (R-FL) spoke with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in a recent House Appropriations hearing, asking about the United States' efforts to develop autonomous vehicles.

Rep. Rutherford began by noting that Jacksonville, which he partially represents, "has become a leader in autonomous vehicle circulators" via the Ultimate Urban Circulator (U2C).

"As we look to our highway systems, even autonomous vehicles are going to start to play a part, even in our various situations," Rep. Rutherford added. "How do you see [the Department of Transportation (DOT)] playing a role in the nationwide plan for autonomous vehicles?"

Duffy began by saying that the DOT is "one of the most innovative places in all of government right now with autonomous vehicles, evitals, or the Ubers in the air in drone technology."

"So if we do not have the right rules in place, allowing this technology to advance at the right speed, you cannot let them go too fast, you cannot have them go too slow," Duffy continued, adding, "But if we do not do it here, China is going to do it, and as this technology develops, we are going to use Chinese products in the US for autonomous vehicles, which I think poses a great national security risk to the country."

Moreover, Duffy emphasized that the development of such technology should be held to a national standard, as "you cannot have 50 states with 50 different standards."

Luckily, he continued, "The innovators have been very cooperative with us, giving us the information we have asked for so we can make the right rules around the vehicles."

While self-driving cars are still being developed, unmanned aircraft such as drones have been of national security concern in recent months.

Earlier in May, Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) introduced the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, which authorizes the Departments of Defense and Justice to extend temporary authority to properly trained and supervised officers to use approved counter-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology.