State takes small steps towards self-driving car
Ireland has moved tentatively closer to a country of self-driving cars this month as Galway East TD and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney approved legislation which allows motorists to switch to automatic steering in limited circumstances.
Minister Canney signed into law a 'statutory instrument' clearing the way for Level 2 Connected and Autonomous Vehicles [CAVs] to operate on Irish roads.
Vehicles with these advance driving systems – now part of the technology in many new cars – can now be driven 'in certain limited circumstances' without the driver having their hands on the steering wheel.
However, Minister Canney stressed that, even with this change in the law, the driver still 'remains fully responsible'.
“This is an important step forward. The technology is already type-approved for use across Europe and is present in many modern vehicles,” he said.
"What we are doing now [in Ireland] is ensuring our legislation keeps pace [with the technology] – safely, carefully and responsibly.
"Crucially, the driver remains in control at all times.
"Road safety is paramount, and the independent safety assessments confirm that Level 2 systems can be deployed safely on Irish roads," added Minister Canney.
He also pointed that the French-owned Valeo company in Tuam, which employs over 800 skilled people at that base, is a world leader in advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicle technology.
Crucially, the driver remains in control at all times
Level 1 and Level 2 driver assistance features such as Adaptive Cruise Control [ACC] and Automatic Emergency Braking [AEB] are now standard in most new vehicles.
Level 3 autonomy cares – 'hands-off, eyes off’ driving – are already being pioneered in the United States, with Mercedes Benz considered to be world leaders in the technology.
Minister Canney recently undertook a study visit to Hamburg and Berlin, to examine best practice in intelligent transport systems and autonomous mobility deployment.
“In Germany, I saw first-hand how cities are integrating connected and autonomous technologies into transport planning,” he said.
"The direction of travel is clear – automation will increasingly form part of safer, smarter transport systems. Ireland must be ready, while always putting safety first,” continued the Galway East TD.
Minister Canney also confirmed that work on Level 3 driver assist technologies will continue in Ireland, adding that this is now beginning to receive European type approval.
According to the international Mobileye Global autonomous driving company, Level 3 autonomy will be the 'big shift' in the world of motoring over the coming years.
"While the driver is still required to be available for 'a takeover', should the need arise, the experience is no longer defined solely by continuous control,” it explained.
"It opens space for small breaks, or 'mind-off' moments, such as checking on kids in the back seat or a moment's 'decompression' on a long commute, giving time back to the driver – the beginning of a new psychological relationship to driving," Mobileye Global outlined.