European automotive supplier body, CLEPA, says drivers will still have to retain an element of responsibility, despite the rapid advances in autonomous potential.
Some OEMs are currently trialling autonomous vehicles on private tracks, but as well as the raft of daunting legislation that needs to be drafted and agreed, drivers will, initially at least, have to be ready to respond to unforeseen situations.
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“There are two big topics – everything around safety and a long-term vision of automated driving,” CLEPA CEO, Paul Schockmel, told just-auto. “Of course, we know there are behavioural sides and drivers have some responsibility.
“Nobody knows when automatic driving will be a reality – it has to come in steps.
“There is [also] all the infrastructure side, but we have not [an] influence on that. Suppliers will be really keen on that area.
“That helps for young people to have branding that suppliers are getting more and more high-tech.”
Schockmel has been at CLEPA’s helm since this summer, taking over from previous incumbent, Jean-Marc Gales, who has left to head up Lotus in the UK and will continue his predecessor’s lobbying of powerful institutions within the European Commission (EC) and Parliament.
“We are since a long time in a good relationship with the EC and Parliament,” said Schockmel. “So we are looking forward to continuing this work.
“We are appreciated as being professional and also experts in our domain. That is something I have learned over the last weeks – CLEPA has a very good reputation in Brussels.
“CLEPA is increasing visibility for all stakeholders – that includes the political arena.”
