Autonomous taxis could raise ADAS understanding
Autonomous taxis could improve ADAS understanding among drivers quicker than years of industry education, according to A1 ADAS Group.
Uber and Wayve both launched autonomous vehicle services in London this month as the country moves another step close to wider use of self-driving cars on the road.
However, customer understanding of ADAS technology remains an obstacle with research finding that 40% of buyers received no explanation of ADAS when purchasing their vehicle.
Adam Molloy, operations director at A1 ADAS Group, said: “The government says human error contributes to 88% of road collisions, which is one of the reasons autonomous technology is being viewed as a potential safety breakthrough. But can motorists be asked to trust a vehicle to drive itself when many still don’t fully understand the driver assistance systems already fitted to their own vehicle?
“A customer may understand why their vehicle needs collision repairs, a replacement windscreen or suspension work. They’re often less prepared for the conversation about ADAS calibration that follows.
“If a customer doesn’t understand that a camera or radar forms part of an active safety system, calibration can feel like an unexpected extra rather than an essential part of returning the vehicle to the correct operating condition. If autonomous vehicles make motorists more familiar with the role these systems play in vehicle safety, it should become easier for repairers to explain why they need checking, validating and calibrating following certain repairs.”
He concluded: “The first robotaxi on London’s roads may do more for ADAS awareness than a decade of industry messaging ever could. If that happens, the winners won’t just be the companies developing autonomous vehicles. It will also be the bodyshops that have invested in understanding, maintaining and accurately calibrating the technology those vehicles depend on.”
