This article is provided by Joseph Salem, partner at Arthur D. Little.
The mass rollout of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been mooted for years, but a range of challenges have raised serious doubts over whether this potentially transformative technology will ever move from the drawing board to the driving seat.
However, numerous recent developments and new data suggest not just that it can, but that it may do so imminently, thanks to advances in technology, evolving regulatory support, and realignment in investment dynamics. This means the one critical advance needed to make AVs a reality — crossing the bridge to commercial viability — may be within sight.
Continuous expansion of AV testing to build trust
The AV industry faces psychological, as well financial, barriers to commercial viability. Safety concerns will stop the public getting on board with AVs, unless strong evidence to the contrary becomes known.
This is why road-testing expansion is essential — and is taking place in all leading...