The UK has several roadblocks to pass before it can realise its ambition of being a world leader in autonomous vehicle technology, according to global insurance law firm Kennedys.
The first challenge that needs tackling is around how to garner consumer trust in the technology, especially if drivers are asked to relinquish control of their vehicles. On Tuesday, Kennedys submitted a response to the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles on the Safe Use of Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS), which is driving the proposed legalisation of “lane keeping” technology, in which it called on the UK Government to launch a public information campaign to encourage widespread ‘buy-in’ from consumers – something that, according to the law firm’s research, is far from guaranteed as things currently stand.
Kennedys also stressed the importance of all stakeholders – including the manufacturers and hirers of ALKS-capable vehicles – in taking a comprehensive and consistent approach to educating and informing potential users of the technology at the point of sale or hire.
The next roadblock, according to Kennedys, revolves around the proprietary data collected by autonomous vehicles. At present, manufacturers do not have to share the data amassed by their ALKS-capable vehicles, but the global law firm has called on the Government to review that piece of legislation so that manufacturers must provide a minimum standard of data. The firm stressed that this standard must be set by the Government as it is neither “tenable nor realistic for both manufacturers and insurers to set conditions on data sharing.”
In its comment to the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles on the Safe Use of ALKS, Kennedys also raised concerns over the minimum risk manoeuvre (MRM) – a pre-programmed manoeuvre triggered in ALKS-capable vehicles if the driver fails to take back control when a road risk is anticipated. Under the MRM, the vehicle will come to a complete stop if the vehicle was travelling to speeds of up to 37mph. Kennedys argues that could pose “serious danger” to the vehicles’ occupants and other road users, and could expose drivers to both criminal and civil claims. The firm wrote: “The law will need to be very clear about where culpability lies in the case of an accident under such conditions.”
Deborah Newberry, head of corporate and public affairs at Kennedys, said: “The Government’s ambition to place the UK at the forefront of new technologies, and data-driven innovation is clear and commendable. However, that shift requires a suitable policy framework to achieve those aims and, in particular, address concerns around public safety, where the liability rests when accidents occur and data security.
“Faced with these challenges, the Government needs to take heed of these issues and support data-driven innovation in a joined up and comprehensive way. The Government must establish a trusted data framework and listen to the views of end-users in order to realise its vision of technical leadership.”
