UK roadmap to zero deaths and zero carbon

In a very important step forward, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) approved the first set of binding international regulations for the introduction of level 3 automated driving in 2020. The approval is for Automated Lane Keeping Systems (ALKS), which enable cars to steer itself at speeds of up to 60 kmph (37 mph) without any human supervision. Shortly afterwards the UK Government announced the launch of a consultation into ALKS, which would allow cars to effectively drive themselves on UK motorways in certain conditions.

Zenzic was created in 2017 by government and industry to accelerate the self-driving revolution in the UK, working together with academia to secure the UK’s place as a world leader in these products, services and systems. They are currently channelling £200 million of joint investment to create Connected and Automated (CAM) Testbed UK that provides a comprehensive development and testing ecosystem, paving the way for journeys that are safer, cleaner, more inclusive and more efficient.

As part of this, Zenzic published their updated UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030 in October 2020. Simon Morley from the Chassis systems control division in Bosch UK has provided input, alongside more than 200 other organisations across many sectors to achieve a UK consensus view – an achievement that Zenzic believes is globally unique.

We spoke to Michael Talbot, one of the founding members of the Centre for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CCAV). He shares with us his views on why the UK is perfectly positioned to lead a sector predicted to be worth £907 billion globally by 2035.

So when will we see driverless cars on the roads, here in the UK?

The truth is that there are already lots of them on UK roads right now. I would say we currently have over 70 automated vehicles in the UK, although the majority of these are operating as part of the many connected and automated mobility projects, jointly funded by government and industry. The 2030 Roadmap has definitely helped inject some more realism into the big statements made by certain companies regarding when self-driving vehicles will be available for the consumer. It identifies a transition period between 2024 and 2026 when people will start seeing – and buying – these services. What I mean by that are services such as logistics, first and last mile transport, and campus style robo-taxis, among others.

You mention the UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030, which Zenzic has just relaunched. Can you explain what this is and what it means for the UK?

We started working on the Roadmap in early 2019, as we recognised that although there were a lot of roadmaps for vehicle technology, for infrastructure (such as 5G) and for services. However, there was nothing bringing these together to help government and companies understand the interdependencies. We also wanted to connect different communities and discuss mutual challenges, agreeing common terms and timelines as well as identifying opportunities for breaking down silos and working together to address them.

Any particular key strengths that the UK should embrace?

Britain is traditionally strong across the sectors that influence CAV development such as software, insurance, motorsport and transport safety. The updated Roadmap sets out the industry’s view of the UK top ten strengths in this area. The UK’s comprehensive and integrated facilities with an ability to collaborate across sectors to overcome obstacles which has become our “unique selling proposition”. With many of the big industry players headquartered in countries where they may have a large influence over their government, the UK can be more agile while staying sensibly ambitious.

We also historically have been a world leader in in terms of the legal and regulatory framework developments. The UK was the first country to change primary legislation smoothing way for self-driving mobility and technologies through the 2018 Automated and Electric Vehicles Act. Furthermore, the Law Commission of England and Wales, in partnership with the Scottish Law Commission, recently published its 3rd consultation into the laws and regulations needed to support the introduction of autonomous vehicles in the UK.

Equally what has the Roadmap identified as some of the main challenges to CAV development in the UK?

One of the biggest questions is public acceptance of and trust in CAV technologies, especially around safety and security. If the public doesn’t trust them, then they won’t buy them or use their services meaning an enormous opportunity for social benefits will be lost.

In order to combat this, the Roadmap revealed the central importance of robust digital resilience (cyber security); around 500 milestones in the Roadmap are connected to cyber security! This is so important that the Government, launched CAV PASS (Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Process for Assuring Safety and Security) in 2019. This is a new safety system aiming to prevent any defects in driverless cars and make sure they are secure from cyber-attacks, in order to license and allow them on the street in commercial deployment.

Another challenge is the very well-known skills shortage in our country – and around the world - which is made all the more difficult by the speed of innovation in connectivity and automation. This fast-changing sector not only requires new skills for the future workforce, but suggests re-skilling of the existing talent pool across all levels. Education, as ever, remains a priority in order for the UK to be prepared to achieve our 2030 vision for Connected and Automated Mobility.

Can you sum up in 3 words what the self-driving future looks like here in the UK?

Safer, cleaner, better.

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