Continental working hard to develop electronic chauffeurs

Technology company, Continental is working hard on the development of systems and solutions designed to act as electronic chauffeurs for drivers. During trips along interstate highways, for example, highly automated driving will free up time for drivers to engage in non-driving-related tasks while behind the wheel.

As the international legal framework currently stands, however, this scenario is a long way off. Continental welcomes the discussion initiated by the G7 countries aimed at developing a standardized legal framework, but calls for international – not merely national – regulations.

The experts at the technology company also recommend the development of reliable radio networks for sharing data among the vehicles and infrastructure as well as clear rules for ensuring unambiguous dialog between cars and drivers in challenging traffic situations.

Highly automated driving on the interstate highway technically feasible by 2020, but the international legal framework and specific radio channels are lacking. Image download
“Further technological development depends on a modern legal framework,” says Kurt Lehmann, Corporate Technology Officer (CTO) at Continental, warning against the application of outdated legal provisions. But although the aim of “Vision Zero” is zero road deaths by 2050, the current legal texts do not take into account the various issues surrounding the use of intelligent vehicles.

“We want accidents to be a thing of the past, but this will remain purely a Utopian vision as long as the road traffic acts fails to consider the use of state-of-the-art technologies or excessively restricts the technological opportunities,” says Lehmann.