Canadian Legislative Issues

The revolution of how you drive your vehicle has come one step closer.  At the end of November 2016, Ontario issued its first permits for autonomous vehicles. The first driverless car will hit Ontario’s public roads during the first quarter of 2017. The University of Waterloo, Blackberry and the Erwin Hymer Group all received permits for their vehicles, which will be tested in real-world driving conditions. The companies have stated that while at the beginning of the tests there will be a driver present to ensure security, later tests will truly be autonomous and self-driving.

Although this may seem like a small step towards the widespread use of autonomous vehicles, in this field of research, 2016 has been a watershed year for progress. Many car firms and service providers such as Google and Uber have been investing heavily in the field, attempting to be the leader in this seemingly inevitable advance. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to completely change the industry and personal mobility, as well as how those who live in cities function and commute.  

These systems continue to face technical and safety issues. Regulators have not yet created a system that will be able to incorporate them into existing fleets. Many jobs may be jeopardized by the introduction of autonomous vehicles. The technology has the potential of saving companies millions a year, shifting out human drivers for automation.  

The technology remains promising, with some of Canada’s leading companies leading the charge on how to make self-driving vehicles a reality in the marketplace. Still, major steps still need to be taken, by both governments and the private sector. It appears likely that it will be decades before Canadians see the mass proliferation of fully-autonomous vehicles, ushering in full this transportation revolution.