All About Automation: The Future of Self-Driving Electric Vehicles
As vehicle automation advances, onboard computers increasingly “learn” by sharing data and storing it in the cloud. This collective knowledge helps vehicles instantly recognize and respond to countless driving scenarios, eliminating the need for individual programming.
This technology has already enabled a vehicle to drive coast-to-coast across the USA without human intervention—a world first led by Silicon Valley innovators.
Connected Vehicles and Safety
All new electric vehicles come equipped with GPS and will soon communicate with each other to share locations and avoid collisions, especially at roundabouts and intersections. This connectivity could dramatically reduce road accidents and save lives.
Automation in New Zealand: Challenges Ahead
- Data Sharing Protocols: Vehicle manufacturers must agree on standards to allow seamless data exchange, but some may want to keep control to dominate the market.
- Communication Networks: The current 4G infrastructure cannot handle the massive data transfer required. New 5G networks, with speeds 100x faster, are needed but are expensive to deploy due to their short-range signals requiring many repeater stations.
- Liability and Insurance: Determining fault in automated vehicle accidents is complex. While accidents may decrease, new frameworks will be necessary to fairly assign responsibility and potentially lower insurance costs.
We stand at an exciting crossroads as automation promises to address rising costs, improve safety, and help fight global warming and pollution.
The 5 Accepted Driving Levels of Autonomous Vehicles
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Level 0 | No vehicle control; warnings only. |
| Level 1 | Driver ready to take control; includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Parking Assistance, Lane Keeping Assistance. |
| Level 2 | System handles acceleration, braking, steering; driver must monitor and intervene if needed. |
| Level 3 | System controls vehicle in limited environments; driver can disengage but must be ready to take over. |
| Level 4 | System controls vehicle except in extreme conditions; driver attention not required when enabled. |
| Level 5 | Fully autonomous; no human intervention needed beyond setting destination. |
Alex de Boer, Director
The Electric Motor Vehicle Company Ltd