It will only be a matter of time before motorists in southeastern Manitoba share the road with robots.

That is the perspective of Ron Schuler, the Minister of Infrastructure, who says the provincial government is paving the way for self-driving vehicles with “cutting edge legislation”.

Earlier this week, Schuler announced intentions to make Manitoba roadways a testing ground for autonomous buses, cars, and farm equipment. If the proposed Vehicle Technology Testing Act is approved in spring, as he expects, automated vehicles will be given the green light to be tested in public. When that happens, Schuler assures ratepayers that the government will thoroughly discuss regulations and safety precautions.

“We will work with the industry on whether or not those vehicles will need to be tethered to other vehicles,” explains Schuler, “and there will probably always be an operator in the vehicle while they are testing so they can take control if need be.”

Schuler says the autonomous vehicle industry is strong across the province and this is one way of “getting Manitoba prepared for the inevitable.”