Retiring as a Captain from the Texas Department of Public Safety after 25 years of public service was hard.

Helping lead the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Service within the Texas Highway Patrol,  managing the agency's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Grant, overseeing technology and facility upgrades at facilities across Texas was very satisfying. But serving as the primary point of contact for autonomous vehicles and automated enforcement related issues was a glimpse into the future.

I received many congratulatory notes, a few “we’ll miss you” sentiments and more than a couple “So, you finally had enough?”, or “You couldn’t take it anymore?” type questions.  The answer to those questions is easy — NO.  I loved what I was doing and loved who I was doing it for.  So, why leave?  To answer that I have to go back a few years to when I transferred to the TXDPS headquarters in the office of Chief of the Texas Highway Patrol.  Upon taking my position in Austin, I inherited the role of primary liaison between TXDPS and all automated vehicle developers operating, or planning to operate in Texas. 

When I initially became involved with autonomous vehicles I remember having a police officer’s healthy dose of skepticism regarding the technology.  Removing human drivers and having cars or even 80,000 pound commercial vehicles operating themselves on Texas roadways seemed fanciful and scary.  But as I learned more about the technology and considered the abilities of automated driving systems versus the causes of most traffic crashes, the more excited I became about the technology.

I found myself devoting more and more of my time to issues regarding automated vehicles, both in Texas and around the country.  I had become convinced that Automated Vehicles will save lives.  For over 25 years I dedicated myself to a career in law enforcement with the goal of reducing traffic fatalities in Texas. Ultimately, despite the great work done by our police officers, transportation planners and other dedicated public servants to hold the line on traffic fatalities, we haven’t made much of a dent.  In fact, we’re quickly approaching the 25th anniversary of the last deathless day on Texas highways.  Every day since November 7th, 2000, at least one person has lost their life in a Texas traffic fatality.  To me, Automated Vehicles present an opportunity to finally stem, and possibly turn the tide in the battle to save lives on our highways.  And that’s why I retired and came to work for Bot Auto.  Here we have a company that not only shares my passion for autonomy, but equally shares my passion for saving lives.  

Safety isn't a buzzword, it is our foundation. Bot Auto is a pioneer in autonomous vehicle technology, which understands the immense responsibility that comes with introducing intelligent machines onto our roads.  Our commitment extends far beyond the confines of our testing facilities, reaching into the heart of public safety and proactive community involvement.

Every Bot Auto vehicle is designed with an unwavering focus on safety.  We integrate redundant systems, advanced sensor technology, and sophisticated AI algorithms to ensure our vehicles can perceive, predict, and respond to the environment with unparalleled precision.

Our safety protocols are rigorously tested and refined through real-world training runs, millions of simulated miles, and closed-track testing.  We continually gather data, learn from every interaction, and update our software to enhance the safety performance of our autonomous fleet.  This iterative process of continuous improvement is at the core of our safety philosophy.

Here safety is a collaborative effort.  That's why Bot Auto is deeply committed to proactive involvement with public safety organizations, law enforcement, and emergency services. Bot Auto has spent countless hours in varying environmental conditions, on the test track at the Texas A&M RELLIS Campus working with police, fire and EMS personnel from a range of state and local agencies, to ensure that our trucks interact safely and respond appropriately to any emergency vehicle.  We regularly engage with first responders and are always open to anyone in the first responder community who wants to come learn more about our technology and how we’re safely integrating that technology into the existing transportation ecosystem.  

At Bot Auto, we are driving innovation toward a future where autonomous vehicles help create safer roads, fewer accidents, and more efficient transportation for everyone.  Safety is our top priority and coupled with our proactive involvement with public safety professionals, we are paving the way for this future.  We are proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, leading with responsibility and keeping the safety of the public at the heart of our mission.

Bot Auto Safety Case