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Paul Schockmel, one of the leading automotive industry experts and presently still CEO of CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, shares his vision for Automated Driving (AD).

In the European automotive value chain, Automotive Suppliers play an essential role by directly employing more than five million people and investing 18€ billion in Research and Development projects per year. CLEPA represents one hundred sixteen prominent automotive suppliers that suggest a range of business opportunities far beyond the supply of hardware.

As cars and indeed commercial vehicles become part of the Internet of Things, a entire world of innovation and chance is opening up.

There are different views about when we will see AD become a reality. Some believe two thousand twenty five will see the very first very automated vehicles on the road while others are suggesting two thousand thirty or beyond. However, I have seen that over the past two years the conversation has moved beyond the doubters, and that now it is accepted that AD will in fact become a reality.

Common terminology

For the development of both technical and regulatory aspects, a classification of those fresh automated systems with a sufficient level of detail is needed. CLEPA supports the OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) proposal identifying the various levels of automated driving (see below), using the terminology in accordance with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) (standard J3016). If harmonized worldwide, the definitions of the levels of automation create a common understanding for governmental institutions, regulatory bods, OEMs, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Building blocks of AD are coming

From my perspective, the discussion about the date is only a distraction. AD is not only one technology. The automotive suppliers are already developing, and supplying fresh technologies that are some of the building blocks towards AD. Take for example; Advanced Emergency Braking. This technology which identifies obstacles and pedestrians, applies the brakes on the vehicle if the driver has failed to react to a possible accident. This technology is already available on many cars today as an option, and is a critical component for AD in the future. Other technologies which are mature and available already include Park Assist systems, Lane Departure Assistance, Digital Brake lights and more.

The latest passing of a European Legislation mandating the fitment of eCall, an emergency call in the event of an accident where the occupants have been disabled, opens up a fresh level of connectivity inbetween vehicles and the surrounding infrastructure. This connectivity inbetween vehicles and their surroundings is another building block on the way to AD.

I also believe that it is significant to manage expectations with regard to AD. While we foresee widespread implementation of AD on highways and in cities, the roll out to rural roads and developing countries will go after later. Installing the necessary infrastructure and road markings on all secondary roads and in thinly populated areas will certainly take more time and investment. Nevertheless, the payback in diminished traffic accidents and congestion in the main corridors make a compelling case for a speedy implementation.

Deep discussions are ongoing among the Telecom companies, and providers of other communications technologies. Together, and with the involvement of the regulators, they have to set the standards for how vehicles will communicate securely and rapidly with each other and with infrastructure. Today we are hopeful that the standards and regulations can keep tempo with the speed of the technology development. One of the most soft but critical issues today surrounds the access to data. Who possesses what data? Who can have access to vehicle data? How to protect against the misuse of data, are all hotly debated topics?

Data privacy

We urgently need a decision on who can have access to vehicle data and how it may be used. After all, if a vehicle’s data such as its position, speed and direction are withheld, then certain technologies will not be able to work, and AD will not be fully operational. We believe in every motorist’s right to privacy, but a certain level of information sharing is critical in pursuit of the higher goals of road safety and green house gas reduction. Therefore, we encourage and support deeper debates by all stakeholders to reach agreement.

AD’s benefits for society

We see the main advantages of AD as threefold. Very first, by virtually eliminating human error, the fattest cause of road accidents, there is massive potential for a reduction of accidents, injuries and fatalities. Then there is the possibility of reducing congestion by guiding cars with real time information, away from the most congested areas. Eventually, when drivers no longer have to give all their concentration to the task of driving, they will have the time and facility to work, read, write emails or communicate remotely and securely thereby making their car a centre of productivity as well as a mode of transport.

It is because of these significant benefits to society, that we are committed to making AD a reality as soon as possible. Automotive suppliers are strenuously invested in research and development activities related to AD. During 2015, we eyed the very first call for funded projects for AD organised by the European Commission under their Horizon two thousand twenty programme. These projects will undoubtedly help the research efforts of the suppliers and the vehicle manufacturers. However, there is a need for thicker projects that can prove technologies in cross border environments and we are hopeful that these can be realised in Europe.

The steps towards AD are advancing, and automotive suppliers are embracing the switch and in some cases leading the evolution. This is certainly the most arousing time in the history of the automotive industry, and we are fortunate to be a part of it.

Are automotive suppliers taking the right measures to pave the way for driverless mobility? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

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