In Piney Point Village, residents may soon see a new type of vehicle on the roads. Autonomous cars are being developed to operate without traditional controls. A company has received approval to charge customers for rides in its self-driving vehicles, which have a unique design featuring inward-facing seats.

These vehicles have already been tested in other cities, offering free rides to passengers. Regulatory agencies are working to update rules to accommodate this evolving technology. The goal is to allow for the safe development of autonomous vehicles, which could eventually lead to changes in vehicle design.

Further details about the approval and proposed rules are available from federal regulators and the company involved, which has been testing its vehicles in several locations.