As reported last night by Automotive News new policy guidelines set to be released today by the feds will require automakers to assess vehicle system design, development, testing and deployment work behind an autonomous vehicle or system before it can be offered for sale or put into service on public roads.

This is the government’s first shot and working to regulate the rapidly growing technology, which is already on the road in some parts of the country. It should be noted that automakers have pushed for a release of national standards as to avoid a patchwork of state laws regulating the rapidly changing autonomous revolution. The key takeaway here is that it the feds appear to be signaling a belief that the nation’s highways will be safer with more cars driven by computers opposed to people.

And, this news couldn’t have come sooner. Just this week, Uber announced that it’s heading to Detroit so it can work more closely with automakers and suppliers. Last week the company showcased a small fleet of self-driving Ford Fusions in Pittsburgh that it had modified itself.  And, earlier this summer it announced a partnership and a $300 million investment from Volvo.

So, the next time you’re driving down the interstate, don’t be surprised if it looks like that car next to you is driving itself. It probably will be. -Mike Szudarek