Apple, Tesla Write Letter To Persuade California State To Change Proposed Self-Driving Rules

California is the favorite destination for technology and automotive companies to test out their self-driving technology -- around 27 companies are testing their self-driving vehicles in the state. Keeping in mind the scale of the technology in the state, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) proposed some regulations governing the use of the technology on the state roads in March. On Friday, some companies invested in the technology -- including tech giant Apple -- petitioned the state to consider changing its proposed rules. "Apple believes that all those developing and deploying automated vehicles should follow rigorous safety principles in design, testing, and production. Such principles should not, however, inhibit companies from making consequential progress--there is no need to compromise safety or innovation," Steve Kenner Director of Product Integrity, Apple said in a letter addressed to Brian G. Soublet, deputy director and chief counsel, Department of Motor Vehicles, Legal Affairs Division, State of California. "NHTSA's Policy explicitly states that the Safety Assessment requested in the Vehicle Performance Guidance is a voluntary submission that is not a necessary precursor to testing AVs on public roads or as part of a state's test program," the company wrote in the letter.