Senator Ed Markey revealed that seven autonomous vehicle companies refused to disclose remote human assistance frequency.
Waymo, Tesla, Zoox, and Aurora are among the firms withholding data from the February 2026 inquiry. The investigation identified inconsistencies in Remote Assistance Operator (RAO) qualifications and response times.
Senator Markey characterized the findings as a stunning lack of transparency regarding industry reliance on human intervention. The Senator requested a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into industry practices. Markey is currently drafting legislation to establish enforceable standards for remote vehicle operators.