Viewpoint: Gerhard Steiger

摘要

A Bosch survey in six European countries in 2012 revealed that car buyers would welcome automated driving -providing it can be switched off at any time. A more recent Bosch study in Germany shows that 52% would not object to the introduction of automated cars, and 60% could imagine driving an automated car on the freeway. In both production vehicles and prototypes, though, automated driving cannot be realised unless the legal conditions are in place. But the amendment to the Vienna Convention on road traffic, which has also been ratified by Germany, is a sign that things are beginning to change. According to this amendment, which came into effect in March, automated driving functions are permitted as long as the driver can actively override or disable them. However, there is still no clarity as to what the driver can do once the car has assumed the task of driving. In other words, the mandatory rules for road users still need to be clarified.