Autonomous Vehicles and Automated Driving: Status, Perspectives and societal Impact

Autonomous systems, automated vehicles in general and particularly the most popular concept of Automated Driving are not just a vision of a remote future – rather closed systems like metros and similar rail systems, air traffic, large logistic systems in storehouses and highly automated production lines have already autonomous systems in use. In open systems like road traffic, only first trials are under way, under severe restrictions. But all large automotive OEMs are active in this field since many years, building on the increasing number and capabilities of ADAS, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, already in use or implementation.

Topics addressed are the European and national Roadmaps on Automated Driving or general on automated vehicles, the impact on transport in general (not only road traffic but also intermodal transport modes), and the potential benefits and threats to society and business. This includes increase of mobility to people not allowed or able to drive, the environmentally fascinating aspect of considerable reduction of the number of vehicles because of better utilization of vehicle fleets, new chances for transport optimization and reduction of resource usage, but also severe threats expected from the safety, cyber-security and privacy side of such highly automated, connected systems. Businesses will change dramatically, some becoming obsolete, but also new ones will be created. Additionally, legal, liability and even ethical aspects have to be taken into account.