The autonomous future
Back in January, I discussed the possibility of a new practical driving test in the future. It wasn't a huge game changer, but merely looked at components of the existing test to see how it could be bettered. It now seems that we may see a whole new test but not for those who drive manual vehicles.
The automated and fully autonomous vehicles are now being put under the proverbial microscope before they have even left the production line.
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has reported that EU rules on safety approvals for new cars have to include tests for automated and fully autonomous vehicles before they should be allowed to go on sale to the public.
Obviously the aim of this is to verify the safety of vehicles that aren't driven by humans but also so that the cars are able to follow the different road rules across Europe. Although we are beginning to race ahead with automotive technology, people are still apprehensive about how these ‘driverless’ vehicles will behave with cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The ETSC believes that it should be mandatory for new cars to have Automated Emergency Braking and Intelligent Speed Assistance, and I completely agree. Those cars that do not require a driver should be able to be overwritten, should it seem to be taking a course that could harm other drivers on the road.
Back to the test I mentioned at the beginning. It is also being advised that EU driving license regulations need to be updated to show that drivers need to learn to take back control from an automated driving system. You have to pass a test to drive a car, and I think it is acceptable to ask people to pass a test to show that if something were to happen, they could in simple terms, intervene with the car to bring it back under control.
You can never be too careful with technology, especially when it is something that poses a threat to human life. Driver less cars are a wonderful idea, but they need to be tested under the lens before they are unveiled to the public.
The automated and fully autonomous vehicles are now being put under the proverbial microscope before they have even left the production line.
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has reported that EU rules on safety approvals for new cars have to include tests for automated and fully autonomous vehicles before they should be allowed to go on sale to the public.
Obviously the aim of this is to verify the safety of vehicles that aren't driven by humans but also so that the cars are able to follow the different road rules across Europe. Although we are beginning to race ahead with automotive technology, people are still apprehensive about how these ‘driverless’ vehicles will behave with cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The ETSC believes that it should be mandatory for new cars to have Automated Emergency Braking and Intelligent Speed Assistance, and I completely agree. Those cars that do not require a driver should be able to be overwritten, should it seem to be taking a course that could harm other drivers on the road.
Back to the test I mentioned at the beginning. It is also being advised that EU driving license regulations need to be updated to show that drivers need to learn to take back control from an automated driving system. You have to pass a test to drive a car, and I think it is acceptable to ask people to pass a test to show that if something were to happen, they could in simple terms, intervene with the car to bring it back under control.
You can never be too careful with technology, especially when it is something that poses a threat to human life. Driver less cars are a wonderful idea, but they need to be tested under the lens before they are unveiled to the public.
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