Jan 10, 2014 03:26 PM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Technology supporting driverless cars is ahead of legislation regulating its use, according to the Tuscaloosa News.

"These technologies exist now and the carmakers assure us they're ready to go," said Jim Travers, associate editor of autos for Consumer Reports magazine. "It's really not that far off."

Laws related to automatic driving exist in just three states, Florida, California, and Nevada, and it wouldn't make sense for automakers to truly develop the technology until it's allowed in a greater portion of the United States, according to the Tuscaloosa News.

"That's one of the biggest issues for the industry as a whole for autonomous technology," said Glen De Vos, vice president of engineering for Delphi's electronics and safety division. "The legal environment has to keep pace. Today we're at the very beginning."

The crux of the matter is that driving is already a dangerous venture; people might not be accepting of something that may seem even more harmful.

At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, automakers presented simulations of how potentially automated driving would work, and demonstrated the technology's present capabilities.

In the simulation, a driver entered an "automated zone," similar to an HOV lane, according to the Tuscaloosa News. After inputting GPS directions, the window fogged up (not sure I like that part of it) and features previously "locked" like a computer and a television, come to life. When the car approaches its predetermined exit, it warns the driver and begins shutting down the aforementioned features.

Actual examples of automatic cars were also demonstrated. In one exhibition, a car parallel parked itself.

Perhaps one day it will be cars who need to get their driving licenses, and not humans! 

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