Advancing technology without slowing down paves the way for developments in many different sectors that we could call ‘dreams’ in the past. The automotive industry is also one of the areas affected by these developments. The fact that companies increase their investments in self-driving vehicles shows us that technological developments can reach the level of science fiction movies.
As we constantly share with you, autonomous driving technologies have begun to spread around the world. As it is known, Tesla, the electric vehicle company of Elon Musk, is among the leading companies in this regard. In previous news, we announced that Mercedes-Benz’s third level autonomous technology was approved internationally. In addition, it was reported that Volkswagen, Kia and many other companies’ investments on the subject increased. Now, a very important decision has been taken regarding these technologies.
Pedalless and steering-free vehicles are paving the way
According to the news, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has broken new ground by updating the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FVMSS). made an opening rule change. According to the statements, this change will pave the way for steeringless, driverless and pedalless vehicles with advanced autonomous driving technologies.
Let’s point out that FVMSS has rules that determine many obligations in vehicles, from wiper placement to the engine. Until now, these rules required vehicles to have a driver’s seat, steering wheel and pedals. This made it difficult for companies to test fully autonomous driverless prototype cars. However, the new decision has changed this situation.
It is a known fact that there are no self-driving fully autonomous vehicles sold to consumers in the world today. The highest technology in vehicles currently sold; providing environmental control, braking and acceleration of the vehicle; third-level autonomous driving technology that only requires the driver to be present behind the wheel. However, even if this is the case, many giant automobile companies are rapidly working to start selling vehicles that can move fully autonomously without the need for a driver in the future. In other words, we can say that NHTSA took such a decision to be prepared for this situation.
‘Safety equipment should not be removed from autonomous vehicles with or without passengers’
Additionally, let’s say that this rule change includes information about the safety standards to be applied in autonomous vehicles. Although it is seen that autonomous vehicles expected to be released in the future will be less likely to crash than those driven by humans, NHTSA emphasizes that these vehicles should ‘provide the same level of protection as existing passenger vehicles’. Currently, people coming about autonomous vehicles and injuries; even the news of the accident that caused his death shows that these safety measures are critical.
NHTSA also warned automakers that safety equipment should not be removed from vehicles to save weight and cost. In the statements made, it was emphasized that all necessary safety equipment should be present in both passenger and non-passenger vehicles, and that measures such as airbags, which are of great importance in saving lives, should take place in vehicles with passengers. So what do you think about this? Do you support the presence of fully autonomous vehicles on the roads in the future? You can share your thoughts in the comments.
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