Ride share giant Uber has removed its self-driving cars from San Francisco roads after California authorities cracked down on the company for no having the necessary permits.
Regulations state that auto and technology companies must have a permit to test self-driving cars in California. But Uber failed to comply with these laws and had the registration of 16 of its vehicles revoked after just a week on the road.
Uber said it was not obligated to have a permit because its vehicles require monitoring by a person in the car.
“We’re now looking at where we can redeploy these cars but remain 100 per cent committed to California and will be redoubling our efforts to develop workable statewide rules,” an Uber spokeswoman said in a statement.
But California law defines autonomous vehicles as having the capability to drive “without the active physical control or monitoring of a natural person.”
It is not yet clear whether Uber will apply for the permit or simply bring the self-driving cars to another state.
