Lincoln experiences Nebraska’s first driverless vehicle

Nebraska is officially welcoming autonomous vehicle technology.

A signing ceremony took place today at Innovation Campus. Governor Pete Ricketts was joined by the main sponsor of the bill, State Senator Anna Wishart, Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler and other representatives.

State Senator Anna Wishart says, "It shows the world that Nebraska is open for business and these innovative technological spaces and I hope it shows a lot of young people that this is a place to come back to and to innovate and be entrepreneurs."

The bill allows companies to test self–driving cars in Nebraska.

Governor Pete Ricketts says, "This bill will give us the opportunity to be able to learn about what we have to do to regulate autonomous vehicles and how much freedom they can have."

Mayor Chris Beutler says this innovative technology will positively change our transportation needs.

Many people after the ceremony got the chance to not only see an autonomous shuttle but ride in one as well. Lincoln was chosen as one of 35 cities to do that.

State Senator Anna Wishart says she already has plans for the next step.

"I’m looking to bring more pieces of legislation that again show the world and show the country that in Nebraska we want to be in the forefront of the sort of modern economic development movements that are happening in the world."

The public is encouraged to test ride the autonomous shuttle beginning on Thursday. You can schedule a time online at http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/pworks/shuttle/ or by calling 402-441-7566.