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August 10, 2018 01:00 AM

Germany seeks to create self-driving infrastructure

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    FRANKFURT -- In June of last year, Germany became the first country worldwide to legalize the use of a highly autonomous driving system.

    Three major stipulations were set out: 1) a licensed driver behind the wheel must be alert at all times, 2) the driver must be able to manually override the system, and 3) there must be sufficient lead time and a clear protocol before the vehicle hands back control. A data recorder is installed to document all handovers between man and machine so that liability can be determined if there is an accident.

    Prior to last June, it was not permitted for anyone but the driver to operate the vehicle. If a car's sensors indicated a human was no longer in control, for example in the case of a sudden incapacitation, its onboard computer was legally prohibited from slowing the vehicle or taking evasive measures.

    Fully autonomous cars such as Volkswagen's Sedric that have no steering wheel or pedals were not included since driverless cars are not allowed under the United Nation's 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, a treaty that Germany both signed and ratified. Driverless cars can, however, be tested on public roads just like any other vehicle prototype as long as the authorities have provided the usual exemption.

    Some cities have approved pilot fleets operating on private property that serve as a suitable microcosm for recreating normal traffic conditions on public roads. This includes an autonomous shuttle service operated by the Berlin public transit service at the Charite university hospital grounds. Here, pedestrians, bicyclists and emergency vehicles can all be found in one enclosed area.

    AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE MONTHLY MAGAZINE

    This story is from Automotive News Europe's latest monthly magazine, which is also available to read on our iPhone and iPad apps.You can download the new issue as well as past issues by clicking here.

    The current federal government plans to create an infrastructure suitable for Level 5 fully autonomous vehicles by the end of the legislative period. Germany also aims to expand autonomous vehicles testing on the autobahn beyond the A9 highway in Bavaria, where it is experimenting with vehicle-to-vehicle communication via 5G mobile networks.

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