NHTSA Proposes Mandatory Cyan Lights for Robotaxis
Federal regulators are moving to standardize a blue-green signal for autonomous vehicles to distinguish them from human-driven cars on the road.
By Naledi Dlamini ·
The debate over how driverless cars should announce their presence to the world has been going on for years. The federal government has now weighed in with a specific, colorful solution.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released proposed changes to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. These updates are designed to accommodate autonomous vehicles. The centerpiece of the proposal is a new requirement for a distinctive light color.
NHTSA is suggesting that robotaxis use cyan-colored marker lamps. This blue-green hue would clearly signal to law enforcement and other drivers that an automated system is in control. The agency believes this color fills a visual gap in current automotive standards. Red, amber, white, and flashing blue or red lights are already assigned to specific functions like brakes, turn signals, and emergency vehicles. Cyan offers a unique option that should not confuse road users.
There is precedent for this type of lighting. Mercedes-Benz received state-level approval to use turquoise lights on its Level 3 Drive Pilot vehicles. Although the automaker later abandoned that specific plan in favor of a Level 2++ system, the concept has traction. NHTSA aims to create a uniform national standard. This would allow operators like Waymo, Nuro, and Zoox, as well as manufacturers like GM and Mercedes, to adopt the same signals nationwide.
The proposal makes cyan marker lights optional for manufacturers. However, if a company chooses to install them, the federal standards would dictate the color, brightness, and location. This approach aims to prevent a patchwork of different colors and signals. It ensures a consistent legal setup across the industry.
The agency is also simplifying other lighting rules that do not apply to cars without human drivers. Current regulations require physical hazard switches, manual beam shifters, and turn levers inside the cabin. NHTSA proposes removing these requirements. The update also modernizes the 12.8-volt testing standard. This change allows automakers to design around modern LED architectures without facing unnecessary administrative hurdles. The agency is also considering removing rules that dictate the physical placement of high-beam lights relative to low-beam lights.
This move is part of a broader effort by the Department of Transportation to streamline the deployment of autonomous vehicles. The goal is to make it easier for companies to build cars without traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals. These components are designed for human operation and are often unnecessary in fully automated vehicles.
Regulators are still applying existing rules strictly while these new standards are developed. Last month, NHTSA opened an audit query into the Tesla Cybercab. The agency is examining the process and technical data Tesla used to certify the vehicle. The focus is on the absence of required features such as sideview mirrors, pedals, and a steering wheel. These elements are currently mandated under FMVSS.
Source: The Verge
