Israel eyes 2027 rollout for Level 4 autonomous vehicles after UN breakthrough
Local regulations on the subject have been in the process of being formulated in government ministries for over five years
Israel is planning to introduce Level 4 autonomous vehicles, equipped with advanced autonomous assistance systems, in the second half of 2027, according to sources from the Ministry of Transport. The country's regulatory framework for such vehicles has been in development for over five years, but progress has been hindered by the absence of standardized international regulations and legal obstacles.
However, the situation changed dramatically in June, when the United Nations' central standardization body (UNECE) approved an international regulation that sets a precedent for autonomous vehicles allowed on public roads. This development is considered a significant breakthrough that will expedite the process.
The new regulation covers fully autonomous systems of Level 4 and above, which can operate in controlled environments with minimal driver intervention. It establishes safety requirements, uniform model approval processes, and imposes responsibilities on manufacturers to ensure that the autonomous driving system functions with a safety level equivalent to that of a skilled human driver.
Additionally, the regulation mandates the installation of data recording systems, continuous monitoring of malfunctions, and reporting of safety incidents. It also requires the licensing of vehicles without conventional steering wheels and pedals, enabling the possibility of fully driverless cars.
Upon adoption, the new standard will streamline Israel's regulatory process, providing the Ministry of Transport with a ready-made basis for issuing import permits for Level 4 and above autonomous vehicles. Currently, the automotive industry anticipates that the initial focus will be on commercial fleets operating on limited and demarcated routes, such as robot taxis, autonomous unloading cranes at ports, and dedicated buses.
The Cross Israel company is currently soliciting bids for the trial operation of autonomous shuttles in communities within the Golan Heights, initially operating with a control driver present, with plans to phase out the driver entirely.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
