In the past two years, the research and testing of self-driving cars has swept the world. It seems that all countries are carrying out autonomous driving projects. But think about it, compared to the United States and China, which continuously announce new projects and new progress in autonomous driving, as a tradition. A 'heavy town' in the automotive industry - Europe seems to rarely release information about autonomous driving.
Europe has always been known for its rigor and focus on citizen safety. They have been slowing down half-time in autopilot testing. Now European countries have taken action to show that they are catching up.
UK: Large sums of money support autopilot research
Although the UK government's earlier legislation allowed companies to test autonomous vehicles on public roads, it set strict guidelines. For example, self-driving cars must retain the steering wheel and brake pedal, and no matter how advanced the autonomous driving technology is, it is strict. It is forbidden for the driver to use the mobile phone while driving.
The restrictions seem to be detrimental to the development of autonomous vehicles. But in reality, the UK is generously funding any organization that helps achieve this goal in order to become a global leader in autonomous driving technology and applications. The public finances are being squeezed, but the government is still preparing to provide 150 million pounds (170 million euros) in five years to fund pilot research on autonomous driving technology. It is predicted that by 2035, the value of the UK's autonomous vehicle market will be More than 900 million pounds. The British government hopes that its pioneering companies will be the first to commercialize autonomous driving technology and continue to improve its standards. The goal is to make the autonomous driving business really start operating in early 2020.
In June of this year, the British Network and Automated Driving Car Center announced a self-driving car grant program, and said that the autopilot project applying for funds should be tested and verified based on clear user needs and public acceptance. The company can get up to 70% of its experimental expenses. Therefore, many companies have been actively fighting since its announcement.
At present, several companies have received financial support and started operations, including a fleet of 40 small self-driving cars that began operations in Milton Keynes, South England in June. These small electric vehicles Providing a service called 'Last Mile', they can take people from the town's train station to a nearby shopping mall at a speed of 24 kilometers per hour. Jaguar Land Rover is also receiving funding, and it is currently testing the lane. And test their self-driving cars on conventional roads. And Oxbotica, a startup that is born out of Oxford, specializing in robotics and autonomous car technology, will test on the M40 between London and Oxford starting in 2019. Its self-driving car.
Italy: The first step in taking the autonomous driving plan
So far, there have been very few autopilot tests in Italy, and the main player is a company called VisLab. This is a company derived from the University of Parma, Italy, and now is the Nasdaq-listed company Ambarella. Part. VisLab specializes in computer vision and intelligent vehicle control systems, and is currently conducting automated driving tests at its headquarters in Parma.
However, the number of automatic driving tests in Italy is small and will be improved by the end of this year. Italy passed the first law regulating the test of self-driving cars on February 28 this year, and its impact will gradually increase in the second half of this year. It is understood that this law defines an autonomous vehicle as a car that can be driven automatically on a predetermined road and under certain external conditions. The key elements are as follows: First, before the automatic driving test, the vehicle is required. The regular version is certified. Secondly, the autopilot test must be authorized by the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Once approved by the road manager, it can be tested on 'specific roads'. At the same time, the vehicle 'supervisor' must be able to At any time, control of the car is taken back. Finally, the car manufacturer or research center must declare to the public that the technology under test is mature and has obtained road authorization.
After the new rules were introduced, Turin and Fiat-Chrysler Automobile Company, GM Turin Engine R&D Center, Volkswagen Group's design and engineering department in Italy, several local universities, telecommunications departments and insurance companies for the upcoming level 3 The self-driving car test signed a memorandum of understanding. Turin City Council member Paola Pisano said that the memo partner has submitted the application this summer. In addition, she also said that the autopilot car test is expected to start at the end of this year.
Previously, Fiat Chrysler also established a partnership with Waymo, the American autopilot company. Fiat Chrysler has agreed to provide Waymo with 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica multi-purpose vehicles for its own research and development. On June 1 this year, some tests The vehicle has been 'launched' at the Fiat Chrysler test site in Balocco, Italy.
Spain: Building a comprehensive legal framework for autonomous driving
According to foreign media reports, Spain is working hard to increase the regulations on self-driving cars and to amend the insurance regulations to provide a comprehensive legal framework for autonomous driving.
The current practice of autopilot testing comes from an order approved by Direccion General de Trafico (DGT) in November 2015. This rule covers all levels of self-driving cars up to level 5, which means that Automated driving tests have full autonomy on all roads and under all conditions.
Automakers and suppliers have been approved to perform various demonstrations of autonomous vehicle testing. For example, PSA and Valeo have been tested in the relevant regions.
DGT Director Gregorio Serrano told the Spanish media that by 2020, the DGT will propose a new '21st Century Automotive Strategic Plan' before the end of the current regulations.
In January of this year, DGT and Mobileye reached a cooperation agreement to 'reduce traffic accidents and prepare for Spain's infrastructure ecosystem and regulatory policies to promote the development of autonomous vehicles.'
Mobileye is an Israeli company focused on vision technology, acquired by Intel in 2017. Mobileye has a deep technical accumulation in autonomous driving. In May this year, Mobileye began a self-driving team test in Jerusalem.
In cooperation with DGT and Mobileye, DGT and Mobileye will transform Barcelona into a comprehensive autonomous test lab to build a fleet of 5,000 vehicles with Mobileye 8 Connect technology. The first task of building the team is to create a city. HD map, while using Mobileye's road experience management system to facilitate auto-driving car testing.
To complete this task, the DGT will be tested using a range of fleets including municipal services, public transportation and car sharing.
Mobileye and DGT will also define the cooperation as a regulatory roadmap for the future of autonomous driving. Although the German sister company Audi has already taken the lead in the group, the Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary will also participate in the local autonomous driving test. .
France: Achieving 'Highly Automated' cars in 2022
The French government is supporting the development of autonomous vehicles, with the goal of operating 'highly automated' vehicles on public roads between 2020 and 2022. Previously, the technically-minded French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a Anne-Marie Idrac, a senior official, is responsible for developing a national strategy for driverless cars, including new laws, regulations and cybersecurity and privacy issues for experiments and pilot projects. It is expected to be passed before the end of this year. Once approved, Class 3 and Class 4 self-driving passenger cars, large public transport will be allowed on the road.
Since 2014, France has conducted more than 50 self-driving car testing projects, including self-driving taxis, buses and private cars. The government has provided 40 million euros ($46 million) to fund new projects.
France's leading autonomous car developer is Nayva, which is based in Lyon and has dozens of self-driving aircraft in pilot projects around the world. The company also recently announced plans to open an assembly plant in Michigan. Since 2017, the unmanned small shuttle bus made by Nayva has been operating on a closed road in La Defense, a commercial area on the outskirts of Paris. Of course, Nayva has a French supplier such as Valeo. Financial support.
Among automakers, PSA Group has a partnership with NuTonomy (born out of MIT, now part of Aptiv), which develops autonomous driving software. Currently, the Peugeot 3008 crossover with NuTonomy technology is in Singapore. A business district operates. Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn promises that Renault and its partner Nissan will run a self-driving taxi team on the road by 2022. As part of the plan, Renault At the Geneva Motor Show this year, the concept car for its EZ-GO self-driving taxi was presented. Renault design director Laurens van den Acker said that EZ-GO can be called 'on the wheel. The box', it is a fashion antidote to the mobility of the future city.