Technology is ready, time to scale
Autonomous technology is ready to ramp up, and it needs continued ecosystem and political support. For the industry to unlock its full potential, it is essential to scale up with fleets exceeding a dozen vehicles. Large-scale deployments will not only build investor confidence but also unlock significant private funding. Several measures are essential to support the ramp up, including the harmonized implementation of regulations, the establishment of standardized safety and certification protocols, and significant investments in large-scale projects. Moreover, political support for the technology and its pioneering stakeholders is vital, emphasizing the benefits not only in terms of safety and efficiency but also in maintaining competitiveness in the global innovation market.
Targeted investments and focus on larger scale
Public funding must be strategically directed towards large-scale projects and operations targeting specific use cases to demonstrate the viability of autonomous fleets in real-world scenarios with the goal of achieving commercial viability, like the AWARD H2020 project. This approach will maximize the impact of investments and establish a strong foundation for future developments. Additionally, investing in key technologies, such as by-wire systems, is crucial for accelerating the development of autonomous vehicles. For the new European Commission, it is therefore crucial to establish a plan to incentivise investments and foster European collaboration in the autonomous driving sector.
KPI-driven success for impact
To ensure the success of publicly funded projects, it is imperative to adhere to a comprehensive KPI catalog. This will incentivize impactful demonstrations and prevent the allocation of resources to non-viable sites. KPIs are essential to qualify and quantify the success of large-scale autonomous mobility projects.
Clear definitions of autonomy
Maintaining clear definitions within the industry is vital. Autonomous driving should only refer to operations that do not require a safety driver. In contrast, operations that require a safety driver or are fully remotely driven should not be categorized as autonomous. This clarity is necessary for regulatory purposes and public understanding, ensuring that the term "autonomous driving" is accurately applied.
Human in the loop
Human supervision remains critical for public road operations, even for vehicles operating without a safety driver. The specifics, such as the number of vehicles a single supervisor can oversee, are still being determined. Ensuring human oversight is key to maintaining safety and addressing any unforeseen issues promptly.
A popular case of fully functional driverless service with human supervision is Terhills. The Tourist hotspot was the first and only site in Belgium to have a fully autonomous transport system. Just after a successful one-year pilot phase, its existing fleet of driverless shuttles was expanded to 5 fully autonomous vehicles, without any human attendant on board, under remote supervision.