Bosch says autonomous vehicles are ready, but faces non-technical hurdles like sceptics and regulations

Bosch says autonomous vehicles are ready, but faces non-technical hurdles like sceptics and regulations

Bosch has come out saying that the delay with introducing autonomous vehicles is due to a “jungle of red tape” and a wave of consumer scepticism, other than technological limitations of the systems, Autocar reports.

Company senior vice president of automated driving, Kay Stepper told the publication that its engineers have already cleared the technological hurdles. “We need to differentiate between technical and non-technical problems. At the moment we can honestly say from the technological, hardware and software sides that we have what we need to roll out [autonomous technology] tomorrow. It’s here. Yes, we have much more testing and validation to do and more refinement to do, but we’re there.”

Despite the advancements, no autonomous vehicles are commercially available in 2020. “The major obstacles are the non-technical ones, like the regulatory framework in different regions. It’s very different in Europe than in China or the US, and that will very much impact the timing of the roll-out.” He added that American lawmakers are more favourable with the technology compared to others.

Bosch says autonomous vehicles are ready, but faces non-technical hurdles like sceptics and regulations

Consumer acceptance is probably one of the biggest hurdle that players in the field are required to tackle. “I’m excited about autonomous driving, and many of our customers are, but not everyone is. There’s a good level of animosity in parts of the population. Some have a hard time accepting this as an everyday reality.”

As for a timeline, the VP believes that self-driving cars will only hit the road by 2025, but even then they won’t be ubiquitous. However, he did say ride-hailing services and commercial haulage are two likelier adopters of the technology.

Compared to a conventional car, it’s going to take more time and convincing to sell a car without a steering wheel and pedals to customers. Stepper believes the industry will get there, but pointed out that Bosch’s goal is not to make driving illegal. If you wish to understand the levels of automation, you may read our detailed report, here.

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Matthew H Tong

An ardent believer that fun cars need not be fast and fast cars may not always be fun. Matt advocates the purity and simplicity of manually swapping cogs while coping in silence of its impending doom. Matt's not hot. Never hot.

 

Comments

  • Syiok Sendiri Jaguh Kampung on Feb 06, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Last year Proton said they want to do Autonomous vehicles despite Tesla and Volvo finding it difficult to perfect the system and make it 100% safe.

    Nothing like jaguh kampung. Always syiok sendiri.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
    • Engineer on Feb 06, 2020 at 5:11 pm

      Keywords: “want to do”, meaning it will take time for Proton to work on it and meantime the same for these technology provider to perfect the system. So by when Proton is ready, the autonomous tech are ready for mass usage. I don’t see how this future forward thinking is syiok sendiri at all, in fact they had the vision to pursue such advancement. Only stupids will deride such efforts.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Hantu Raya on Feb 07, 2020 at 1:55 am

      Buat Tak kena, Tak buat pun Tak kena.
      Pusing macam Mana pun, improve macam Mana pun- semua Tak kena. Kau memang orang yg paling Tak guna! Takde kerja lain complain, kondem, kutuk, fitnah, caci.
      Dasar manusia perasan bagus. Kau sorang je yg betul, satu dunia Tak betul dalam kepala otak Kau yg busuk tu.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • I would say it’s more of an infrastructure readiness such as road markings & signs. If it’s ready, why level 3 automation is so limited? Regulations may come in level 5, or maybe level 4. Just launch level 4 automation car, then sceptics will slowly go away.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Al Hubal Ark Bar on Feb 06, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    scepticism and regulation could be rectified easily.
    meanwhile sabotage by petroleum cartel and petrodollars syndicate is more fearsome

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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