The auto industry must learn to engage with disengagement

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires companies seeking to test self-driving cars on public roads in the state to obtain an appropriate license and registration and to report so-called ‘disengagement’ events – when drivers must take control of the vehicle – on an annual basis. The fact that the driver can take control – since California requires steering wheels and brake and accelerator pedals – remains a sticking point with some companies, such as Alphabet and its Waymo division.