SoylentNews

McGruber [soylentnews.org] writes:

Following reports that a ‘Driverless’ Vehicle was cruising the streets of Clarendon, Virginia (https://www.arlnow.com/2017/08/03/spotted-driverless-vehicle-cruising-the-streets-of-clarendon/), reporter Adam Tuss chased the 2017 Ford Transit Connect van down and discovered it was being driven by a man wearing a car seat costume (https://twitter.com/AdamTuss/status/894606250205425668).

After multiple inquiries, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute explained that the van and van driver are part of a study they are conducting on driverless cars. The worker was wearing the uniform he was supposed to wear. "The driver's seating area is configured to make the driver less visible within the vehicle, while still allowing him or her the ability to safely monitor and respond to surroundings," a statement from the institute says. Virginia Tech declined to make the half car seat, half man -- as Tuss put it -- available for an interview.

MAIN STORY: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Driver-Dressed-Like-a-Seat-Spotted-Inside-Driverless-Van-439041863.html [nbcwashington.com]

Original Submission