The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a proposal that would require specific lighting for autonomous vehicles. The agency suggests using cyan lights to signal when a vehicle is operating without a human monitoring the road. This move aims to create a uniform way for the public to identify driverless cars on American streets.
NHTSA proposes cyan lights for AVs
The proposal establishes equipment specifications for these lights. It details where they should be mounted, the exact color they must emit, and how they activate. The agency recommends that the lights remain steadily illuminated rather than flashing. They would need to be visible from the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle.
Importantly, the NHTSA is not mandating the use of blue-green lights. Instead, it offers this as an option for manufacturers. The proposal also removes requirements for manually operated controls for turn signals, high beams, and hazard lights. These changes reflect the reality that many new autonomous vehicles lack traditional steering wheels and pedals.
NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that this proposal is part of a broader effort to update regulations. The goal is to speed up the adoption of autonomous vehicles while maintaining safety standards. The agency is currently working on a federal automated vehicle framework to update existing motor vehicle safety standards.
GM and Rivian advance AI strategies
While federal regulators debate standards, major automakers are accelerating their own technology rollouts. General Motors held its annual GM Forward event to outline its plans for the future of transportation. The company announced a major overhaul of the electrical and computational systems in its future vehicles.
This technological shift is set to debut in 2028 with the Cadillac Escalade IQ. GM also plans to introduce an autonomous highway driving feature that same year. This system will allow drivers to keep their hands and eyes off the road without needing to be ready to take over immediately. The company has also adopted enterprise AI across its operations to cut its traditional development timeline in half.
In the startup sector, Rivian acquired Third Dimension, a U.K. company that uses AI to create realistic 3D worlds from images and videos. The deal focuses on simulation technology. Rivian aims to close the gap between simulated driving data and real-world conditions. Third Dimension previously raised $7 million in seed funding and employs about 15 engineers.
Other mobility developments
Several other companies are making moves in the autonomous space. Ride-hailing firm inDrive signed a memorandum of understanding with Pony.ai and Nvidia. They plan to test robotaxis in Kazakhstan starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Waymo announced plans to launch a robotaxi service in Madrid, Spain, in 2027.
Reliable Robotics, a startup focused on autonomous flying technology, raised $115 million in a Series D extension round. The funding pushed the company’s valuation past $1 billion. The round included $90 million in equity and $25 million in debt.
Google is also upgrading its Gemini assistant for vehicles. The new personal intelligence feature will draw on data from Gmail, Google Calendar, and Maps to understand user preferences. These developments highlight the rapid changes occurring in the transportation sector as regulators and companies work to define the future of mobility.
Source: TechCrunch
