Automotive research center Thatcham Research is calling on car manufacturers to take care not to describe their ADAS features as ‘autonomous’, as this might mislead consumers and cause them to put more faith in their cars than they should.

Matthew Avery, head of research at Thatcham Research, said, “We are starting to see real-life examples of the hazardous situations that occur when motorists expect the car to drive and function on its own. Specifically, where the technology is taking ownership of more and more of the driving task. But the motorist may not be sufficiently aware that they are still required to take back control in problematic circumstances.”

The organisation says that terminology and names such as Autopilot and ProPilot, which are used in marketing material and owner’s literature, suggest reliable, fully autonomous systems when the cars only have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) features.

Continue reading UK road safety organisation calls for clarity on AV and ADAS terminology at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.

New laws will allow motorists to control their vehicle at low speed without being physically in it. From June 2018, there will be a legal framework for the use of remote parking features, paving the way for true autonomous vehicles at the hands of consumers, rather than development teams.

A number of mostly high-end cars, such as the BMW 7 series, Mercedes-Benz S-class and Tesla models, already boast the ability to manoeuvre themselves into an end-on parking space using their array of sensors, without any occupants in the car. The ‘driver’ controls the car with a phone app or an advanced key fob.

Continue reading UK government opens up legislation for remote parking at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.

The city of Shanghai in China has granted BMW a Shanghai Intelligent Connected Autonomous Driving Test Licence, which will allow the car maker to test Level 4 AVs on selected roads totalling 5.6km.

BMW is the first European manufacturer to obtain the licence and follows two Chinese companies – SAIC Motor and electric vehicle startup Nio, neither of which sell cars in Europe or the USA – which were awarded licences at the beginning of March.

BMW will deploy a test fleet of 7 Series fitted with autonomous technology. It will start with two cars in May and add up to seven by December.

Continue reading BMW receives testing licence for Shanghai at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.

Ohio Governor John Kasich signed an executive order on May 9 to open the state’s roads to AV test programs. Ohio joins 33 other US states to have announced AV initiatives, issued executive orders or enacted legislation to allow the testing of autonomous vehicles.

The five-page document states that Ohio wants to “maintain its leadership role nationally and globally as a premier testing ground for autonomous vehicle technologies.”

It will allow the testing of Level 3-5 AVs on all public roads and highways. Provisions are included for the testing of AVs without an operator in the vehicle, although in that case, authorities need to be informed of the routes and areas in which testing will be performed.

Continue reading Ohio welcomes autonomous vehicle testing to its roads at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.

From April 2018, every vehicle in the European Union (EU) with a new type approval must have the eCall automatic emergency call system installed –meaning connectivity will be standard.

Technology company Continental has been developing telematics units since 1996 and welcomes the decision of the European Commission (EC). “For us, eCall means that we are a huge step closer to Vision Zero – mobility without road deaths or injuries – as help is now automatically on its way in the case of an accident,” said Johann Hiebl, head of Continental’s Infotainment & Connectivity business unit.

“By using the telematics unit for other applications, such as real-time information about traffic flows or potential hazards, accidents can even be actively avoided and congestion minimised.”

The eCall system automatically sends an emergency alert with the vehicle’s exact location to the closest appropriately equipped public-safety answering point.

Continue reading European eCall mandate poised to come into effect at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.

The Road Safety Act has been changed to enable driverless vehicles to be trialled on roads in the state of Victoria, Australia, upon receiving a permit from VicRoads. The state also launched a A$9m grant programme for researchers and industry, to support connected and automated vehicle developments.

“Victoria is at the forefront of autonomous vehicle technology and these changes will allow our best and brightest to continue to drive transport innovation,” said Luke Donnellan, minister for roads and road safety, Victoria government.

“Automated vehicles are the future of road safety – that’s why we’re investing in trials and giving researchers better access to Victorian roads.”

Under the new laws, all driverless vehicle trials will require a human supervisor to monitor the vehicle from either inside or outside the vehicle.

Continue reading Go-ahead for on-road testing of driverless vehicles in Victoria, Australia at ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle International.