About this episode

The episode features an interview with Pat Tsen from the CPUC discussing the regulation of autonomous vehicles in California.

In today's episode, I'm speaking with Shao (Pat) Tsen , Deputy Executive Director for Consumer Policy, Transportation, and Enforcement at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) . We start with an overview of the CPUC and Pat's role in it. We also break down the split between the CPUC and DMV, clarifying who regulates what, and what companies actually need to do to launch an autonomous vehicle service in California, including the different permit types required along the way. Pat explains the CPUC's technology-agnostic approach to AV regulation, and why Tesla's current robotaxi deployment isn't considered an autonomous vehicle service under CPUC jurisdiction. We then dig into what it really takes to secure an AV permit, and whether the approval process is more subjective or objective in practice. The conversation also covers enforcement, reporting, and data collection requirements for AV companies, including new stoppage event reporting rules and what data is ultimately made public. We also get into how the CPUC approaches transparency, accountability, and the balance between innovation and public safety—and where its regulatory oversight starts to reach its limits…

People in this episode

Host: Harry Campbell

Guest: Shao (Pat) Tsen

Topics covered

• autonomous vehicles
• CPUC regulation
• AV permits
• data collection
• public safety
• innovation

Keywords

• autonomous vehicle service
• CPUC
• AV permits
• data reporting
• public safety
• innovation
• Tesla

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: California Public Utilities Commission, DMV

Products: Tesla

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