Car drivers misled and endangered by words like ‘autonomous’

Carmakers using the word ‘autonomous’ are lulling UK drivers into a false sense of security, says a new report. The warning from Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) follows reports of drivers crashing because they are over-reliant on technology that is not fully autonomous. The partnership is now calling for manufacturers and legislators to clarify the capability of vehicles sold with technology that does some driving on behalf of motorists. Thatcham’s latest paper, Assi
June 13, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Carmakers using the word ‘autonomous’ are lulling UK drivers into a false sense of security, says a new report. The warning from Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) follows reports of drivers crashing because they are over-reliant on technology that is not fully autonomous.  


The partnership is now calling for manufacturers and legislators to clarify the capability of vehicles sold with technology that does some driving on behalf of motorists.

Thatcham’s latest paper, Assisted and Automated Driving Definition and Assessment, has identified dangerous areas associated with some driver support technologies. These include misleading names such as Autopilot and ProPilot, which imply a level of autonomy that is currently unavailable. The document also explains how and when drivers should take back control of their vehicles.

Matthew Avery, head of research at Thatcham, says fully-autonomous vehicles – which do not require driver intervention - will not be available for many years. “Until then, drivers remain criminally liable for the safe use of their cars and, as such, the capability of current road vehicle technologies must not be oversold,” he adds.

Thatcham stresses the need for absolute clarity on how these technologies are designed to work and has created a list of %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external 10 key criteria false https://www.abi.org.uk/globalassets/files/publications/public/motor/2018/06/thatcham-research-assisted-and-automated-driving-definitions-summary-june-2018.pdf false false%> that every assisted vehicle must meet for it to become ‘automated’. These include giving adequate notice to drivers in situations where they need to take back control. In addition, vehicles must be able to arrive at an appropriate ‘safe stop’ if they are unable to continue, or if the driver fails to intervene.

James Dalton, director of general insurance policy at ABI, says: “Manufacturers must be responsible in how they describe and name what their vehicles can do, and the insurance industry is ready to hold them to account on this.”

Urban Traffic Control

Related Content

  • American Center for Mobility appoints Microsoft data and cloud provider
    April 10, 2018
    The American Center for Mobility (ACM) has appointed Microsoft as its exclusive data and cloud provider to help develop connected and automated vehicles (C/AVs) as well as mobility technologies. The facility officially opened in Ypsilanti Township on the 4 April 2018. ACM is part of the PlanetM, a collaboration of private industry, government and institutions of higher learning that aims to change the way people and goods are transported across all modes of transportation. Both partners will design a
    Read More
  • Ito World manifesto calls on cities to embrace MaaS
    September 25, 2018
    Data and alternative transport can combat congestion, pollution and private car dependency in global cities, says Ito World. The UK transit data specialist has published a manifesto which calls on cities to embrace Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to ‘unlock’ their future potential. The MaaS Manifesto: smart data and accessing a city’s potential insists cities also need to have the right infrastructure and ensure the public and private sectors work with emerging players. Ito World says city authorities u
    Read More
  • Uber suspends Barcelona service after new regulations introduced
    February 5, 2019
    Taxi-hailing giant Uber is suspending its service in the Spanish city of Barcelona. The move comes after new regulations were passed by local authorities, according to Reuters. The company started its UberX service in the city last year. But from now on, passengers using ride-hailing services will have to wait at least 15 minutes after booking a ride before they can be picked up – thus negating one of the key selling points of companies such as Uber. Speed and convenience – as well as cost – are w
    Read More
  • Careem expands Iraq ride-share operation
    October 10, 2019
    Dubai-based ride-hailing company Careem has expanded into the Iraqi city of Mosul, according to a report by Arabian Business. The company is hoping to provide technology-based mobility options for riders and offer flexible employment opportunities for local drivers. Careem Iraq’s general manager Mohamed Al-Hakim says: “We hope that our entry will spur other companies to follow suit.” Careem expanded its service into the Iraqi city of Basra earlier this year, following its introduction in Najaf and
    Read More

Highlighted Content