Germany’s Federal Government has approved a draft law allowing autonomous vehicle testing on German roads.
The draft law stipulates the driver must be able to instantly override or deactivate systems at any time and requires cars to carry a form of ‘black box’, which would record driving data and be decisive in disputes concerning liability, should the technology fail.
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Sections of public highway have already been approved as live testing zones, while the country has been active in R&D activities; the Institute for the German Economy (IW) maintains Germany has registered 58% of all global patents in autonomous driving since 2010 for example.
“The developments within this industry allow German carmakers, and especially their suppliers, the chance to jump into a new market and establish themselves as leaders, or challengers to established brands,” said Germany Trade & Invest Transport Technologies manager, Rico Trost.
“Legislation often moves slower than the technology itself, but this draft law shows the willingness of the German government to support the development of disruptive, innovative technology.
“Through taking the lead in this way, Germany will continue to be a pioneering location in the field of autonomous driving for years to come.”
