AV Safety and Evaluation Standards

Waymo's eval-forced development methodology sets a new benchmark. NHTSA ultimatum on emergency-scene blind spots, Zoox recall, IIHS study (68% fewer crashes), and new federal AV safety bills escalate regulatory pressure. Hyundai's talent hire (Junghyun Kwon) signals intensifying competition. New: NHTSA deregulation for AVs includes Zoox 2-year exemption for 2,500 vehicles/year, new AV performance standards consortium, streamlined exemption processes. Waymo's Ojai platform with Gemini AI addresses passenger psychology and trust.