Another step towards Australia’s autonomous vehicle future

Like all self-respecting waves of disruption, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are challenging the status quo. Their adoption calls for a need to balance touted benefits against possible risks, and shines a light on obstacles under existing laws that govern the interactions between humans and vehicles. Among other benefits, AVs could significantly improve road safety by avoiding … Read more

EU Council rejects European Commission’s Wi-Fi plans for connected and autonomous vehicles

In the latest development in the EU’s long-running debate on the preferred communication technology standard for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs), the Council of the EU has rejected the Commission’s proposed legislation favouring Wi-Fi technology (the “Regulation“). Twenty one (of twenty eight) Member States voted against the Regulation; a result seen as victory for proponents … Read more

Self-driving delivery vehicles put into operation in China

Autonomous vehicles are regarded by many as a potential solution to the “last mile” problem in the supply chain and logistics industry.  In the US, a number of consumer goods companies (including grocery giants Kroger and Walmart), are partnering with auto manufacturers and start-ups in an effort to develop a driverless delivery platform.  Similarly in … Read more

Autonomous vehicles: consumer acceptance on the rise?

In addition to the technological and legal challenges facing the development of autonomous vehicles, consumer acceptance represents a critical barrier to adoption.  While consumer attitudes to autonomous vehicles appear to have been rocked following a number of high profile safety incidents in 2018, a recent study suggests that over half of global consumers still want … Read more

European Parliament endorses Wi-Fi based technology as the proposed technical standard for connected and autonomous vehicles

The European Parliament has voted to favour Wi-Fi technology based on the existing ITS-G5 standard as the communication technology standard to be adopted for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) across Europe (307 in favour and 207 against). The decision comes after months of intense lobbying and goes against the European Parliament’s own transport committee’s recommendation … Read more

China releases first autonomous vehicle road testing report

Beijing recently issued the “Beijing Autonomous Vehicle Road Testing Report 2018”; the first report on autonomous vehicle road testing in China. The Report releases information and data derived from road tests by 56 cars from eight companies (Baidu, NIO, BAIC BJEV, Daimler, Pony.ai, Tencent, Audi, and Didi Chuxing) in both enclosed areas and open roads … Read more

European Parliament’s transport committee opposes Commission’s preference for Wi-Fi as the communication standard for connected and autonomous vehicles

Following months of debate, the European Commission approved its long-anticipated delegated act on the preferred communication technology standard for connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) on 13 March 2019 (the “Regulation“, available here). However, the Commission’s decision – favouring Wi-Fi technology based on the existing ITS-G5 standard for short-range communications (V2V) – has already hit a … Read more

TOYOTA’S GUARDIAN SYSTEM: A MIDDLE ROAD BETWEEN MAN AND MACHINE?

At the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Toyota made two revelations.  First, it revealed “Guardian”, an automated driving safety system that it has developed in parallel to its autonomous driving system, “Chauffeur”.  Second, it revealed a desire to share this technology with other auto manufacturers. It is not every day that a manufacturer … Read more