TechCrunch Mobility: How do we know when an AV is safe enough?

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your go-to source for the latest advancements in transportation technology. Today, we delve into the crucial question of how we can determine when an autonomous vehicle (AV) is safe enough to be deployed on public roads. This issue has become increasingly complex as the technology evolves and gains traction in various sectors, including self-driving trucks, robotaxis, and passenger vehicles.

Currently, there is no universally accepted standard for evaluating the performance of automated driving systems in real-world conditions. While drivers must pass a driving test to obtain a license, there is no equivalent evaluation for AVs. To address this gap, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working on a federal framework that aims to establish safety standards for AVs without impeding innovation.

The agency recently formed a collaborative effort with the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) called ASCEND, which stands for Automated Safety Control Enabling Network. The primary goal of this consortium is to accelerate the development of data-driven AV performance standards. SAE Administrator Jonathan Morrison emphasized that the ultimate objective of this partnership is to deliver an AV competency standard that will guide the federal motor vehicle safety rules.

By creating a standardized framework for AV safety, the NHTSA hopes to streamline the deployment of these vehicles on roads across the country. This approach would help address the inconsistencies in state and local regulations and foster continued innovation in the autonomous vehicle industry. While there is no set timeline for when the consortium will finalize the ADS (Automated Driving System) standards, the announcement marks a significant step forward in establishing safety criteria for these emerging technologies.