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  training wheels for autonomous vehicles come in the shape of a human behind the wheel. but when you remove the safety driver from a robotic car, two tons of metal is let loose.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  just last week, california's department of motor vehicles announced that it plans to allow companies to test autonomous cars on its roads without on-board backup drivers before the end of the year. the cars would be required to have a remote operator capable of keeping an eye on the car, but nevertheless, as the guardian correctly points out, the news feels like a defining moment for the technology. has it matured enough to finally let us place our faith in the ability of the robot?
article_headline: are autonomous cars ready to go it alone?