Seite - (000164) - in Autonomes Fahren - Technische, rechtliche und gesellschaftliche Aspekte

Autonomous Driving – Political, Legal, Social, and Sustainability Dimensions152 8.1 Introduction Autonomous driving (self-driving) vehicles, once just a science fiction dream, are a grow- ing reality. Although not commercially available, rapid advancements in technology are creating a situation where technological development needs are moving beyond the regu- latory environment. Technological developments have put pressure on governments to make regulatory changes permitting on-road testing of autonomous vehicles. Nevada be- came the first government worldwide to provide licenses for the testing and operation of autonomous vehicles in the state albeit under strict conditions. The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles requires that “when autonomous vehicles are eventually made available for public use, motorists will be required to obtain a special driver license endorsement” [8]. Other states have followed Nevada’s lead. New regulations in the United States have provoked the question of whether regulatory changes are necessary in Europe as well. This chapter examines the emerging competition among automobile manufacturers related to the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles and their political and regulatory implications. Special attention is paid to the role of industrial stakeholders and political actors in relation to the development, uptake, and regulation of autonomous vehicle tech- nologies. This is done from a comparative perspective considering developments in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, and Japan. The different framings of autonomous vehicle technologies and their potential contribu- tions are also considered. 8.2 Autonomous driving from an innovation policy perspective Increasing vehicle automation can be understood as an innovation process that may even- tually lead to autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles. Innovations can be classified according to the kind of innovation (e. g. product, process, organizational), the phases of innovation (invention, innovation, diffusion) or the magnitude of innovation (ranging from incremental to radical). A variety of influencing factors shape innovation processes. These include actors and actor networks, institutional frameworks, and technological develop- ments both inside the innovation system and external to it. There may be co-evolutionary development of (technological) innovations and influencing factors [35]. Political interven- tion is one factor that can influence innovation processes and is our focus below. Automated technologies have been incorporated into cars for decades, including anti-lock brakes, rear view alarm systems, lane departure warning systems, and adaptive cruise control. Information and communication technologies are likely to make possible the rapid deployment of some automated technologies (as is already the case with automat- ed braking systems). Automated driving technologies could improve emergency response, enhance public transport systems, and optimize intermodal passenger transport. Autonomous vehicle technology is now rapidly developing as autonomous driving vehicles are tested on the road. Various future development paths are possible as indicated