The SMMT (Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders) reports that there’s a huge amount of research at the moment into the future of autonomous vehicles and the practicality of using them on public roads.
The concept comes a step closer this week with the announcement that HORIBA MIRA is joining the Midlands Future Mobility Project.
This study will be the largest of its kind in the UK and will look at all elements of autonomous vehicles, including public transport, freight and private cars, with live trials on the public highway.
It’s a fascinating research project and one that will undoubtedly throw up as many questions as it does answers about how self-driving vehicles can work on public roads, but it’s also a timely reminder of the importance of commercial vehicles to the progression of advanced automotive technology.
Much of the high-tech software, radar and camera systems that go into autonomous drive systems, as well as discussions around the legislative barriers, began in the CV (Commercial Vehicle) Sector over a decade ago, before the notion of self-driving cars was even close to the public eye.
It’s an indicator of how innovative the industry is and, while the jury is still very much out on when vehicles could one day drive themselves, there can be no denying that vans, trucks and buses are technology leaders.
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