The deployment of automated mobility services
Event report
The session was moderated by Mr Ian Yarnold (Head, International Vehicle Standards Division, Department for Transport, UK).
Mr Frank Schlehuber (Senior Consultant Market Affairs, CLEPA) said that the automotive aftermarket which provides spare parts and other elements for vehicles generates around €400 billion worldwide. This market will be declining, especially due to the electrification of cars. However, Schlehuber noted that there is a chance for new mobility services, given the developments in networked cars estimated at €34 billion, and that access to data also means access to the market.
Schlehuber referred to studies such as Deloitte’s 2017 study which predicts that 20% of the revenue of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) could come from mobility and connected services. For this reason, Schlehuber explained that many members of CLEPA want to get into the new mobility market and topics such as predictive maintenance services, parts design optimisation, and driver style surveillance. He pointed out that we need to get a common understanding on how to make the data economy work and how it can be turned into new services, and he predicted that in the next two years there will be more changes in the automotive sector than over the last decade. The reason for this is that OEMs have to embrace a new role as service providers rather than simple manufacturers.
Mr Joost Vantomme (Smart Mobility Director, ACEA / OICA) spoke about the tremendous momentum for networked and automated cars which could improve safety, traffic efficiency, mobility, and resource allocation. He further noted that safety is the highest priority and that the industry therefore has no right to fail in terms of developing new technology.
He welcomed the general safety regulation of the EU and the WP 29’s draft resolutions on cybersecurity for vehicles and over-the-air (OAR) systems and encouraged policy-makers to further review, adapt, and harmonise all relevant regulations. Additionally, he spoke about the need to upgrade and adapt physical and digital road infrastructure for automated driving and to continue performing large-scale and cross border tests of automated systems.
Vantomme further identified new policy challenges emerging through the rise of connectivity for automation, data and privacy protection, and liability rules among others. Regarding regulations of the data economy, Vantomme said that there is no need for ex ante regulations and that new markets and innovations would provide a way to go ahead.
Mr David Ward (President & CEO of Global NCAP, President & CEO of the Towards Zero Foundation) said that widespread use of automated vehicles (AVs) can be expected by 2040.
Ward warned against overestimating the effects that AVs will have on road safety and mentioned that studies about accidents only focus on accidents which have been caused by humans and not how many accidents have been avoided due to human intervention. AVs will certainly lower the rate of accidents, but it is not possible to say that all accidents that have been caused by humans will be avoidable thanks to AV technology.
Ward mentioned the importance of making automated assistance systems mandatory while waiting for the full-scale market entry of fully automated cars. These systems can already increase the safety of drivers and will prepare the users for future mobility and build trust in the technology. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of using the same names for certain technologies and for standardising them to avoid misleading users about the actual use and abilities of a certain technology.
Mr Hiroyuki Inomata (Director for International Affairs Office, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan) emphasised the work conducted by the WP 29. He underlined the importance of harmonising regulations and standards, given that cars and networked vehicles are a global commodity.
He further mentioned that challenges revolve around how AVs can be rolled out without toning down on safety mechanisms and said that market entry of AVs will need to be carefully prepared.