Defining safe automated driving

How does the automotive industry move towards Automated Driving Systems safely? This new technology is rightly seen as a sea change for road safety. However, new and emerging systems require heightened levels of vigilance from regulators, vehicle manufacturers and users.

“The UK Government’s prediction that fully automated vehicles will arrive on UK roads in 2021 is unlikely. However, early Automated Driving Systems designed only for motorway use could be available to consumers by then. To avoid introducing a new hazard, the vehicle needs to have an effective driver monitoring system to ensure safe handover of control between driver and vehicle, and that the driver is available to take back control when needed,’ says Matthew Avery, Director of Research at Thatcham Research.

Click here to see Matthew explain the finer points of autonomy to Dallas Campbell, presenter of Channel 5’s The Gadget Show and BBC 1’s Bang Goes the Theory.

For more information on the latest vehicle technology and safety features visit www.thatcham.org