There is much hype about the future of autonomous or “driverless” vehicles, however, many are unaware that vehicles which can operate with autonomous function are already among us.
ANCAP Safety is the first independent organisation in Australia and New Zealand to test and rate autonomous vehicle technologies, and their effectiveness.
For 25 years, ANCAP has been independently assessing vehicle crashworthiness and publishing information on the level of protection provided to vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users.
We may be well known for this traditional crash safety programme, however, we are now turning our attention to assessing technologies which can help avoid a crash in the first place.
From 2018, ANCAP now assesses the performance and effectiveness of safety assist technologies including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane support systems (LSS) and speed assistance systems (SAS).
These are all technologies which operate autonomously to assist the driver – intervening when a potential crash is imminent.
ANCAP has been instrumental in influencing the market, encouraging the fitment of AEB and other assistance technologies.
As of March 2018, close to one third of Australia’s top 100 selling light vehicle models offered AEB as standard – up from 3% just over two years prior.
While this figure has significantly increased since then, the life-saving technology should be offered market-wide.
The introduction of performance testing of autonomous functions will assist in driving the desired market improvement, with vehicles now needing an effective AEB and LSS system in order to be eligible for five ANCAP stars.
Examples of models which provide high-performing levels of autonomous safety function are the recently released Mazda CX-8 and Toyota Corolla hatch – both awarded five-star ANCAP safety ratings through the presence of technologies which can detect and brake for pedestrians and cyclists “unseen” by the driver, and read road signs.
These vehicles demonstrate that safety is not a luxury, with private and corporate fleet buyers able to access high levels of safety as advanced collision prevention technologies become increasingly available across price-points and segments.
The development of automated technologies is occurring at a rapid pace, and while this is the current focus for vehicle brands and regulators – the ultimate goal being to have these technologies work to avoid crashes and subsequent road trauma – we must also not lose sight of the importance of physical crashworthiness.
A mixed fleet is inevitable.
Our roads will carry vehicles with high levels of automation, part automation and vehicles with no automation at all.
So while the idea of a future driverless “pod” is out there, that pod will still need to have sound levels of structural integrity in the event a vehicle without automation strikes it.
Will we ever see full automation? The technologies we are currently testing form the building blocks for increasing levels of automation.
Cars of the future will, aesthetically, most likely look very similar to the vehicles we are driving today, yet they will include a range of autonomous technologies.
So, before we look to the future of a fully autonomous or “driverless” vehicle fleet, the immediate priority for ANCAP is to improve the uptake of existing autonomous technologies and build confidence and understanding of their function.
Vehicle brands must be encouraged to offer the technology; regulators must be convinced of its effectiveness and community benefit; and consumers must be educated of their presence, function and safety value.
As Australasia’s independent vehicle safety authority, ANCAP plays a significant role in influencing the design, specification and availability of new vehicle models offered in Australia and New Zealand.
This influence will continue as ANCAP assessments expand to include an ever-growing range of automated safety technologies year on year.
Vehicle brands place great value in the achievement of a five-star ANCAP safety rating for their models, and public focus and subsequent market demand will be drawn through ANCAP’s encouragement.
