Feds Want to Drop Requirement for Autonomous Cars to Have a Brake Pedal

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Braking distance regulations would stick around, but the physical pedals would no longer be required for cars designed to be exclusively autonomous.

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Under the new regulations, cars designed to be driven exclusively by ADS would no longer require manual brake pedals. Or, in other words, cars such as Tesla's Cybercab, which was designed without a steering wheel or pedals, would be eligible for certification under FMVSS No. 135. The logic behind the decision, according to NHTSA, is that physical controls—like a steering wheel or brake pedal—aren't necessary in a vehicle that won't ever be driven by a person.

Importantly, the decision to remove the requirement for a physical brake pedal does not alter the regulations governing stopping distances. All vehicles, autonomous or not, would still be subject to federal standards that cover stopping.

The announcement also opens the door to removing other ways that we typically interact with the cars we drive. NHTSA brought up features such as rearview mirrors, windshield wipers, and windshield defrosters, which aren't necessary for the cameras and sensors typically used by ADS.

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