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October 7, 2024
Autonomous driving – the vision of self-driving cars that take us safely and comfortably to our destination – fascinates engineers, politicians, and the public alike. But how far has this future technology actually become a reality in Germany? And what hurdles still need to be overcome before autonomous vehicles can be used across the board?
German carmakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are investing enormous sums in the development of autonomous driving systems and are playing a leading role. For example, Mercedes-Benz is the first manufacturer to receive approval for a so-called "Drive Pilot," which can take over driving tasks on highways in traffic jams and at speeds of up to 60 km/h. During this time, the driver is allowed to turn away from the traffic and, for example, use their smartphone.
German politicians have also recognized the importance of autonomous driving and passed a law in 2021 that generally permits the use of autonomous vehicles on public roads. However, the legal framework is not yet fully clarified. For example, it is currently still unclear who is liable in the event of an accident involving an autonomous vehicle.
To better classify the development status of autonomous driving, five different autonomy levels are distinguished:
- Level 1: Assisted Driving (Driver assistance systems such as cruise control or lane keeping assist support the driver) - Level 2: Partially Automated Driving (The vehicle can temporarily take over certain driving tasks, but the driver must be ready to intervene at all times) - Level 3: Highly Automated Driving (The vehicle can completely take over the driving task in certain situations, but the driver must still be on board) - Level 4: Fully Automated Driving (The vehicle can drive completely autonomously on predefined routes, a driver is not required) - Level 5: Autonomous Driving (The vehicle can drive completely autonomously in all situations and environments)While vehicles of Levels 1 to 3 are already on German roads, fully automated driving (Level 4) is still in the testing phase. Pilot projects are currently underway in various cities where autonomous shuttle buses are being used on closed routes or in controlled environments such as company premises.
Before autonomous vehicles can be used across the board, a number of challenges still need to be overcome. In addition to legal issues, these are primarily technical and ethical aspects.
For example, systems for autonomous driving need to become even more reliable and safe. Current systems still reach their limits, especially in complex traffic situations with many road users, in poor weather conditions, or with insufficient road markings.
In addition, ethical questions need to be clarified. How should an autonomous vehicle decide in a dilemma situation where an accident is unavoidable? And who is responsible if an accident occurs despite all safety precautions?
Despite these challenges, autonomous driving is a future technology with great potential. Autonomous vehicles could contribute to greater road safety, reduce traffic jams, and improve mobility for people who cannot drive themselves. However, it will be several years before this becomes a reality. Experts assume that fully automated driving will not become established until the second half of the 2030s at the earliest.
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