Hours. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] good morning. The subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection to order. The chair recognizes himself are five minutes for an Opening Statement. Good morning and welcome to the first hearing of 115th congress and Consumer Protection subcommittee, pleasure to be with you today. Before we get started i think chairman burgess for the hard work in the last congress on the subcommittee and also recognize the new vice chairman, the gentleman from mississippi. Glad to have you on board and look forward to working to advance innovation agenda that creates jobs and puts consumers first and also to recognize the gentlelady from illinois, our Ranking Member, working with her this congress and working in a bipartisan fashion to protect consumers. Finally as chairman, look forward to working with all members of the subcommittee to continue exploring areas in the Digital Economy creating new art engines of economic growth, Jobs Creation and Consumer Empowerment in america. I had an opportunity to visit the auto show in washington dc, the showroom floor filled with vehicles that innovated newly designed systems that promised enhanced safety, mobility, convenience of the drivers experience. And greatly impressed with the creativity and ingenuity of the Auto Industry to build a vehicle we could only dream about a short time ago. The technology, Technological Advancements in this sector are nothing short of amazing. The subcommittee will continue its focus on self driving vehicles and potential to transform our Transportation System. We hear about testing that is happening to what testing needs to happen and what the timeframe is for that deployment. In 2015, over 35,000 lives tragically lost on the nations highways. 1000 of these fatalities were in my home state of ohio. Based on early estimates traffic detailing in 2016 are even going to be higher. Unfortunately we also know human error accounts for 90 of all the traffic accidents, these are startling statistics, Automated Vehicle technology and growing investments with self driving vehicles to reduce life by decreasing traffic accidents making roadways safer for all users. As the Auto Industry works to make self driving vehicles a reality adequate the testing these vehicles are critical to refining their systems for commercial deployment and Gain Consumer confidence that are safe. And more proving grounds for consumers. Each of these settings vehicle engineers and professional test drivers with detailed inspections of vehicles to ensure compliance with crashworthiness and verify vehicles overall structural integrity. Sometimes hundreds of thousands of miles of testing to assure once a vehicle is on a dealers lot it is safe for consumers and their families. Unlike conventional vehicles fully self driving vehicles without the input or concern of human drivers. And they take corrective action for the system failure. And flexible and on regimented tests. And self driving vehicles. And commercial deployment. Looking forward to witnesses on how other entities are testing these technologies for future deployment. Look forward to hearing about the existing testing environment can be improved to celebrate the invitation of lifesaving Automated Vehicle technology in this country. The Transportation Center released a significant investment into its Mobility Advanced Research center in east liberty, ohio to allow for self driving vehicles with thousands of acres, take positive steps moving forwards. And robust vehicle testing is essential to the successful of self driving vehicles. And the data will help build Consumer Confidence in this technology which is essential to realizing its future for self driving vehicles. I think the witnesses for being with us and look forward to a thoughtful and engaging discussion. At this time i have a minute left. Anyone on our side would like to claim the minutes . The chair recognizes the vicechairman. Thank you for calling this hearing to build on the subcommittees previous efforts to examine and better understand the world of self driving cars. As many of you noted the development and innovation of self driving cars has potential to provide countless improvements in our Transportation System and invaluable safety enhancements that could save thousands of lives. Of particular interest to me is potential benefit in new opportunities self driving cars provide to americans with disabilities including those with intellectual disabilities unable to obtain drivers licenses and must rely on friends and relatives uncertain to modes of Public Transportation, including running errands and getting to a job. In the disability world, lack of transportation is widely viewed as a top impediment to success and advancement in society. Self driving cars offer the ability for a tremendous opportunity looking forward to being more about this and i yelled back. The gentleman yields back in the chair recognizes the gentlelady from illinois, the Ranking Member of the subcommittee for five minutes for Opening Statements. The subcommittee the subcommittee that i am glad to be here. Where it belongs. Important work to do. We are kicking off safety, nationwide, and the Consumer Product safety, and meanwhile the emergence of new technology for cybersecurity. The subcommittee impacts americans everyday lives. The nation occurred to the benefit for consumers. And Consumer Services over the course, and the committee in air force members, and the rest of the subcommittee. And self driving cars in november. Self driving cars have potential to reduce the number of accidents by human error and ensure that human error does not replace vehicle error. And optimism about the longterm promise of Autonomous Vehicles. And how we get there. Testing is necessary before we can confidently with consumers in self driving cars, it doesnt work for passenger vehicles. We see from takata airbags and the vw emissions scandal, viability of self driving cars depends on manufacturers and government working cooperatively to share data and safety. We have to figure out the specifics of how many waivers are necessary in coming years and how specific those waivers should be. We need to decide what safety tests or standards are necessary and determine how state and federal government can best work together. And we step out a moment, as i told the chairman, i have a Budget Committee meeting this morning, i hope to be back to ask questions of witnesses. I want to thank those i met before this hearing for time and information and thank you all for being here today. I yield the remainder of my time to congresswoman matsui. Thomas vehicles have potential to change more than just cars. This Technology Gives us a way to think about mobility, to expand access, americans with disabilities and so many more who may not be able to drive today. This Technology Allows us to rethink urban landscapes and public spaces we may no longer need for Parking Spaces and most importantly promises safety for American Families of this innovation will rely on connectivity, placing new demands on roads and highways and infrastructure that powers communications. We need a framework that ensures we are building to connect the future of the 21stcentury economy. Driverless cars will have an impact of local economy, communities and competitiveness. As we consider the new landscape this is an Important Role for Technology Companies and manufacturers and congress to play into this. I look forward to working with all of you in this area and i yields back the balance of my time. The gentlelady yields back. I dont believe the chairman of the committee will pass on the chairmans testimony at this time. The chair will recognize for five minutes. I wanted to start by congratulating you of your chairmanship of the new subcommittee and i am hopeful the subcommittee will use the mandate to watch out for the little guy and i am pleased at the words Consumer Protection that appear in the subcommittees name. The hearing on self driving cars is an example of Consumer Protection oversight obligation. I recently read something i think can sum up where we are, the decade ago self driving cars were a matter of debate. Today they are an inevitability. Since we know they are coming to the marketplace i am pleased to be talking again about the potential benefits achieved in the out years we will actually get to the weeds of it and look forward to hearing about where we are today in the testing, what needs to be done to establish these cars rei liable and safe. Self driving cars in november, we need these vehicles to be safe not just when all cars are autonomous but also during the decades of transition time when they share the road with human drivers was i look forward to hearing how innovators are using testing, modeling, analytics and other tools to demonstrate these vehicles are safe, meet the challenges of interaction with obstacles on roads like bicyclists, pedestrians and snowcovered payment. And strong fiber security and privacy protections to defend against hackers was so many of the latest technologies created in this country by hardworking men ends women. And your immigrants to bring amazing skills to the workforce. To put up roadblocks, immigration and roadblocks to our efforts to be ahead of the technology curve. With 47 of American Workers vulnerable to computerization we need to find ways to tap these technologies to help find new opportunities through education and training. I yield the remainder of my time to representative dingle. Is she ready . Im going to talk loud. No one ever said i didnt have a big mouth. There has never been a more exciting time to be a member of this committee, the midwest is here. It is technology. The forefront of innovation technology. There has never been a more exciting time to be in the Auto Industry. Automated vehicles are not just something you read about in a Science Fiction novel. They are already here and helping transform mobility and the transportation of people and goods. Transportation is no longer the accurate word, mobility is. In 2015, 35,092 people died on the road in this country. This would be a Public Health epidemic if it was in any other industry. Automated vehicles will help us save lives as many of my previous colleagues noted, since 94 of accidents are attributable to human error. Also an issue of international competitiveness. Automated vehicles will be developed globally whether we like it or not. It is critical that america be at the forefront of innovation and technology by taking the lead in developing lifesaving advances or lose our Competitive Edge in this critical space. Michigan is leading the way in this area. I am proud the American Center for mobility is in the 12th district and will focus on testing verification and certification of Automated Vehicles, just designated as an Automated Vehicle by dot. Michigan in a bipartisan way, my colleagues, the governor and others are dedicating considerable resources to Automated Vehicles and i am committed to helping it and the United States be leaders in this vital area. That being said, cybersecurity has to be our top priority. Nobody wants to let unsafe technologies on the road but we dont want to prevent vehicles and improve safety for reach searching consumers either. Looking forward to working with the committee and stakeholders for the right balance on supporting innovation and making sure consumers are safe. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentlelady yields back. As i mentioned when the chairman of the committee will be afforded the opportunity to give his Opening Statement. That concludes with the members Opening Statements. These Opening Statements are made part of the record. We thank our witnesses for being with us today and taking time to testify, todays witnesses give Opening Statements by a round of questions from the members. Witness panel for today at hearings will include mike abelson, Vice President of global strategy for General Motors, anders karrberg, Vice President of Government Affairs at volvo cars group. And the senior information scientists and read avco designer of decisionmaking, mister gill gil pratt, ceo it Toyota Research institute and Mister Joseph okpaku, Vice President of Public Policy at left. Appreciate you being here today. Begin the round of questions starting with mike abelson, you will be recognized for five minutes and appreciate you being with us today. Thank you, mister chairman. Good morning. My name is mike abelson, Vice President of Global Mobility strategy for General Motors but i want to thank chairman walton and Ranking Member pallone, subcommittee members, for inviting me to tell you about General Motors vision for the coming transformation in mobility and the opportunities self driving vehicles hold for the future safety of the american public. If i could come up i would like to relate a personal story that struck close to the heart of myself and General Motors colleagues. This last september, one of my colleagues suffered an incredible tragedy. A weekend at home when he was struck and killed by a distracted driver. Watching steve and his family go through this avoidable loss increased determination of all those to make this Technology Available as soon as it is ready to avoid these losses in the future. Unfortunately steve is not alone. 18 of injuries and crashes are due to distracted driving. And fatalities 28 of fatalities are speed related. Vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for children and adults. 94 of fatal crashes caused by Human Behavior there is tremendous potential to do better. Self driving cars by drugs or alcohol, they wont be distracted by a cell phone. They wont drive drowsy or recklessly in their speed will always be appropriate for the conditions at hand. For years automakers committed our resources when crashes happen. Today through the continuing development of this technology, we have the opportunity to avoid crashes altogether. We are not only committed to self and reliable self driving vehicles but self driving vehicles will provide tremendous benefits to society for convenience and quality of life. Such vehicles provide unprecedented access to transportation to those who need it most. Like disabilities those in underserves neighborhoods with limited access to transportation and the elderly. General motors, incredibly optimistic about the future of mobility. A tremendous opportunity to create a new model for transportation, the changes the way society, rising to the challenge. And on interstate roads in arizona, challenging urban center in San Francisco and in december announced we would begin testing in metro detroit. That we have 50 self driving vehicles in these cities with more planned in the future. We also announced gm will produce the next generation of self driving test vehicles in michigan. This will allow us to accelerate testing and validation of this exciting new Safety Technology. Expansion of our realworld self driving Vehicle Testing Program will allow us to deploy self driving vehicles in boundaries during projects. The safety of our customers is the driving principle, to uphold the standard is the top priority. Test vehicles currently have to monitor and evaluate performance. And statistically significant data to prove vehicles are already operated without a human driver. Current federal Motor VehicleSafety Standards have served the motoring public well for years. Barbarous technologies evolved standards behind. They do not contemplate vehicles without human drivers, without changes to those regulations it may be useful for the promise of todays technology can be realized, thousands of deaths could have been prevented. At the same time we must be able to prove to customers, i