海角视频

How should we be preparing for autonomous vehicles?

The era for the autonomous vehicle is very close.

The (CCAV), a government-funded research initiative, predicts a 2025 target date is now realistic for the rollout of fully autonomous vehicles in the UK.

For reference, the term fully autonomous attends to those vehicles where no driver is necessary. This is known as Level 4-5 within  the industry. 

Others would argue this era begun decades ago.

Figure 鈥 The vehicle is just one aspect of a autonomous vehicle operation. Source: ZF.com

Over on the western side of the city, Heathrow Airport has offered autonomous pod connection between Terminal 5 and passenger car parks since 2011.

So what is the difference between then and now?

In the above,  operations have been limited to controlled environments 鈥 essentially working within segregated infrastructure.

Within two years, it is possible that driverless vehicles will run on main roads like any other vehicle.

Major changes?

In California this is already the case, with the state opting for a more relaxed stance on the regulatory front.

Reception has been mixed

As well as the excitement around Amazon鈥檚 pod trials in February,  we have seen Wayve vehicles blocking fire engines at busy intersections, with AVs not (yet) programmed to momentarily pull over 鈥渋llegally鈥 in the same way a human driver would.

The introduction of any disruptive technology naturally invites scrutiny.

However some of these challenges will be removed as the technology evolves and people become more familiar with its usage.

Understandably the mixing of autonomous vehicles with road traffic and other users of the street bring about several questions.

  • Is this safe?
  • What infrastructure do cities need?
  • Who is liable in an accident?
  • Who does this really benefit?

海角视频 considers these and several other questions in its new .

This publication, in partnership with Paris-based group , resists zooming in on the technological readiness of the vehicle itself; instead  taking a more holistic view on  the rediness and optimal usage of AVs.

The team explores how  London (and other cities) could embrace autonomous vehicles. This includes identifying how a

This scenario envisages Transport for London (TfL) playing a central role, incorporating AVs into its extensive multimodal offering. Certainly the iconicity of the TfL branding should help gather public trust early on.

Figure 鈥 London Intelligence Report by 海角视频 and Autonomy

Graduate Transport & Mobility Consultant

The Report make a number of recommendations including  the introduction of a shared AV system complementing a citywide shift towards active travel.

海角视频 considers both the challenges and the opportunities in the Report. The team intends to stay close to the action on AVs and their deployment.

You may also like

Back to top