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Apple's Lisa Jackson Joins Federal Committee Advising on Vehicle Automation

Thursday January 12, 2017 8:20 am PST by Mitchel Broussard
lisa-jackson-appleLisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives, has been named as a member of the new Federal Committee on Automation. Announced by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the committee will act as an advisory panel to discuss and look into "some of the most pressing and relevant matters facing transportation today."

These matters are said to mainly include the development and deployment of automated vehicles. Additionally, the committee will act as a resource for the Department of Transportation as it continues to provide research, policy updates, and regulations on transportation in the U.S., while also helping "advance life-saving innovations."

Its members consist of "leading professionals and experts" in a multitude of fields.
“During my time at the Department, we have fostered some of the most significant technological changes to ever take place in transportation, and we did so while keeping our focus on the safety of the American people,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. ”This new automation committee will work to advance life-saving innovations while boosting our economy and making our transportation network more fair, reliable, and efficient.”
In addition to Lisa Jackson, the Federal Committee on Automation will include Gloria Boyland (FedEx VP), Robin Chase (Zipcar Co-Founder), Rachel Holt (Uber Regional General Manager), Gerry Murphy (Amazon Senior Corporate Council), and various other technology executives, university professors, and automotive industry professionals.

Each member of the committee is said to contribute the "best practices, challenges, and opportunities" they have knowledge of in regards to the future of automation in vehicles. Apple's own interest in autonomous cars was made official in a letter to federal regulators last month, and now it appears that the company will be willing to share its knowledge for the betterment of vehicle automation across the industry.
As technology develops, automation may play a larger role in a number of modes of transportation, including cars, buses, trains, planes, and UAS (drone) systems. This committee will play a critical role in sharing best practices, challenges, and opportunities in automation, and will open lines of communication so stakeholders can learn and adapt based on feedback from each other.
The full list of committee members can be found on the U.S. Department of Transportation's official website.

Tags: Apple Car, Lisa Jackson
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Bacillus
26 months ago
It's the great Bozo-dom (with Ive in fashion events, Angela Ahrendts in luxury goods shows and fairs, Eddy Cue running around in rapper shows and Hollywood coacktail parties, Cook in all kinds of federations and boards)
Getting around in congresses and committees fulfills their self-image. These people are beyond products. They don't care anymore about customers. It's all about themselves.
I don't know this lady very well but Apple as a company has nothing to offer a serious automotive committee. Zero accomplishments, minimal impact & perspective.
(ok, CarPlay: the once-to-be "infotainment standard" now 7 years behind, impactless)
Rating: 4 Votes
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Naimfan
26 months ago
Just in case anyone thought Apple might not still be interested in the automotive market . . .
Rating: 4 Votes
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Dissonance
26 months ago
Apple: "If we can't get an autonomous car on the road, the least we can do is find a way to stop everybody else..."
Rating: 2 Votes
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pureheat101
26 months ago

Congrats Lisa! This is awesome news.


No one from Google or Tesla on the list. Also Here (Audi/Daimler) is missing and Bosch as well. Some of the leaders in automation aren't on the list but let's not assume it's because they weren't invited. Maybe those companies refused to participate?


FYI - waymo is the rebranded Google self driving car project
Rating: 2 Votes
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Porco
26 months ago
Hopefully she can advise on issues pertaining to the Local Integrated System Architecture of the Car. :D;)
Rating: 2 Votes
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calzon65
26 months ago
I just purchased a new car with CarPlay. Even with hands free calling, I think the amount of driver distraction (and I love automation) is on the rise.
Rating: 2 Votes
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furi0usbee
26 months ago

It's the great Bozo-dom (with Ive in fashion events, Angela Ahrendts in luxury goods shows and fairs, Eddy Cue running around in rapper shows, Cook in all kinds of federations and boards)

They need to learn how to make great computers again.
Rating: 2 Votes
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cmichaelb
26 months ago
No offense to Jackson, but what does she know about transportation?
Rating: 2 Votes
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ctone
26 months ago

Huh… so Apple appoints THE Lisa Jackson that resigned from the EPA in disgrace ahead of a congressional inquiry (and likely impeachment) over her illegal use of non-governmental email accounts to coordinate with outside lobbying groups (thwarting FOIA and flagrantly violating government transparency laws) BACK to a governmental committee? SERIOUSLY?


Yes, the revolving door swings around again. It is all about access and influence by the big money.

As the consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog ably noted, more than half of the committee is comprised of parties with vested interests in getting these vehicles on the road asap, but "not a single consumer, citizen or auto safety survivor’s group sits on this industry-dominated panel", putting the public's safety and best interest at risk. The article below provides a compelling case.

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/newsrelease/consumer-advocates-trump-make-gm’s-ceo-barra-first-firing-remove-her-dot-panel
Rating: 1 Votes
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MacsRgr8
26 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/01/12/lisa-jackson-committee-vehicle-automation/')



Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives...


A company must be huge to have a Vice President of environment, policy, and social initiatives. Most countries don't have that.
Rating: 1 Votes

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