GM's self-driving car. GM's self-driving car. |

Autonomous vehicles and connected cars are sure to shake the foundations of commerce. And, according to the results of a new survey, that impact looks likely to put regulations in the throes as well.

Law firm Foley & Lardner this week released its “2017 Connected Cars & Autonomous Vehicles Survey” looking at both sensor-laden “connected cars” that can read and interact their environment and “autonomous vehicles,” better known as self-driving cars. Polling 83 executives from the technology, automotive and vendor-supplier industries, the survey identified regulatory changes that will likely be important in developing the connected cars and autonomous vehicle industry. Despite most regulatory action at the state level, 62 percent of those polled sought nationally consistent rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation around tech-enabled vehicles.

“Right now, some of the regulation is happening at the state level. Most of it has been in the way of testing, enabling on-road testing where you don't necessarily have to have a driver if you satisfy the different requirements,” said Steve Hilfinger, co-chair of Foley's manufacturing industry team and partner in the Detroit office.