The First Driverless Car Driver’s License
October 26, 2016
Sam Schmidt, a former Indy Racing League driver may be paralyzed, but he is now the first person to ever receive a driver’s license for an autonomous car, allowing him to drive his Corvette in the state of Nevada.
While Schmidt’s car is not fully driverless, it doesn’t require hands to be on the steering wheel or feet to be on the brake or gas pedals. Instead, he’s able to steer the car using head motions that are monitored by cameras and sensors. He can accelerate and brake by inhaling and exhaling into a tube.
Schmidt’s new license is a milestone for disabled people, offering hope for increased independence. Accessibility and inclusion will continue to play a critical role in engineering intelligent transportation solutions; some automakers are already designing cars that can accommodate wheelchairs, as well as features tailored to those who are visually impaired.
There are some restrictions for Schmidt, like he needs a passenger in the car with him, because the car is not fully autonomous, but these advancements bring us one step closer to a future where drivers may no longer need a standard license.
MEANINGFUL MOMENTUM OR RUNNING IN PLACE?
AI Through Our Ages
Liquid Infrastructure: Our Planet's Most Precious Resource
The Impact of Technology in 2025
Quantum and AI: Safeguards or Threats to Cybersecurity?
Why AI Can't Live Without Us
Bits, Bytes, Buildings and Bridges: Digital-Driven Infrastructure
Impact of Technology in 2024
Emerging AI Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions
The Skies are Unlimited
Smart Cities 2030: How Tech is Reshaping Urbanscapes
Impact of Technology 2023
Cybersecurity for Life-Changing Innovations
Smarter Wearables Healthier Life
Infrastructure In Motion
The Impact of Tech in 2022 and Beyond
Cybersecurity, Technology and Protecting Our World
How Technology Helps us Understand Our Health and Wellness
The Resilience of Humanity
Harnessing and Sustaining our Natural Resources
Creating Healthy Spaces Through Technology
Exceptional Infrastructure Challenges, Technology and Humanity
The Global Impact of IEEE's 802 Standards
Scenes of our Cyber Lives: The Security Threats and Technology Solutions Protecting Us
How Millennial Parents are Embracing Health and Wellness Technologies for Their Generation Alpha Kids
Space Exploration, Technology and Our Lives
Global Innovation and the Environment
How Technology, Privacy and Security are Changing Each Other (And Us)
Find us in booth 31506, LVCC South Hall 3 and experience the Technology Moon Walk
Virtual and Mixed Reality
How Robots are Improving our Health
IEEE Experts and the Robots They are Teaching
See how millennial parents around the world see AI impacting the lives of their tech-infused offspring
Take the journey from farm to table and learn how IoT will help us reach the rising demand for food production
Watch technical experts discuss the latest cyber threats
Explore how researchers, teachers, explorers, healthcare and medical professionals use immersive technologies
Follow the timeline to see how Generation AI will be impacted by technology
Learn how your IoT data can be used by experiencing a day in a connected life
Listen to technical experts discuss the biggest security threats today
See how tech has influenced and evolved with the Games
Enter our virtual home to explore the IoT (Internet of Things) technologies
Explore an interactive map showcasing exciting innovations in robotics
Interactively explore A.I. in recent Hollywood movies
Get immersed in technologies that will improve patients' lives