Samsung’s semiconductor division has been granted a permit to test autonomous vehicles on state roadways in California.
A CA Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson confirmed that the permit covers a total of three vehicles including a Toyota Prius and two Audi A3s.
Samsung Electronics is joining a total of 39 companies that have also acquired permits to conduct testing for self-driving cars within the state. The technology companies on the list include Apple, Delphi, Waymo, Bosche and NVIDIA.
Top automakers such as General Motors and Volkswagen have also managed to join California’s Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program.
“Self-driving vehicles stand to make our transportation system safer and more efficient. Advancing this technology to road-ready requires government policy that encourages continued testing and development,” said Republican House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Samsung first received a permit to test self-driving technologies in its home country of South Korea earlier this year. The permit revealed that it would allow the company to test the sensors and parts that it’s developing aboard a Hyundai car. However, it didn’t elaborate on what those components would do exactly.
Despite the company’s desire to begin testing autonomous vehicles, a company spokesperson clarified that they have “no plans to enter the car-manufacturing business.”
“As a global leader in connectivity, memory, and sensor technology, Samsung Electronics looks forward to participating in California’s Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program and joining in the pursuit of a smarter, safer transportation future,” the Korean tech firm stated. “While we have no plans to enter the car-manufacturing business, we are excited to help develop and deliver the next generation of automotive innovation.”
Samsung officials have stated that the company will continue its efforts to develop sensors that use its AI and deep learning software, as well as other components for driverless vehicles.
In recent years, the state of California has been extremely supportive and encouraging of autonomous vehicle development. However, the U.S. federal government is also stepping up and sparking debate about how to handle self-driving technology once it hits the roads.
In the coming weeks, lawmakers in Washington are expected to vote on the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research In Vehicle Evolution Act (SELF DRIVE), which will help determine the different policies each state will bear when regulating autonomous vehicle functions and designs.
If the SELF DRIVE Act passes, companies including Waymo and several others will be able to test 100,000 self-driving cars, as long as they share collected data with the federal government.