There is never a dull moment in the autonomous vehicle industry. The technology is rapidly advancing, with examples like the development of Waymo’s self-driving taxi service (see examples here and here), and the continuous formation of new partnerships such as Ford teaming up with Walmart and Postmates for self-driving grocery delivery in Miami (see link here).
Government regulations are also under development, as seen with updates on U.S. regulations (here), and new demonstration and testing activities are constantly emerging (see examples here and here).
Despite all this advancement, the question of industry standards remains. Safety, cybersecurity, data privacy, connected vehicles, signage, and communication with other road users are all pressing topics that require standardized solutions. The role of governments and industry in establishing these standards is a complex issue, with a range of approaches being taken, from industry-led initiatives to collaborations with government bodies and standards organizations.
There is a need for careful consideration and collaboration to ensure that the standards do not hinder innovation or advancement in the industry. How and when these standards should be developed is a crucial consideration, and all stakeholders should be involved in the process.
If you would like to discuss this further, I will be at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Please email me at lauren.isaac@easymile.com to arrange a meeting.
