Discover more about the topics and technologies that were discussed at the 2019 conference, via a series of exclusive interviews with a selection of our expert speakers.
Daniel Ruiz, CEO, Zenzic, emphasizes cyber security, communication standards and global cooperation as key in achieving connected and automated mobility (CAM)
Describe your presentation?
The success of future connected and automated mobility (CAM) lies in global collaboration. To accelerate the safe deployment of connected and self-driving vehicles, we need to encourage and enable global collaboration across critical areas of testing and development. Working together delivers incremental value to all stakeholders and improves coordination between leading countries in the drive to a mobile future.
The UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030 details developments from the present day to 2030. It presents a single vision that shows dependencies, focuses on investment and articulates the path to scaling capabilities and technologies globally. Greater alignment between countries in areas where it makes no sense to compete will enable the benefits of CAM to be realized at scale more quickly.
Can you cite some examples of collaboration that have made a positive impact on CAM?
Europe, in particular, is leading in this space in terms of collaboration. Funding from the European Commission through programs like Horizon 2020 is supporting research and innovation across the region. Its Transport Challenge ‘Smart, green and integrated transport’ is aimed at achieving a European transport system that is resilient, resource-efficient, climate and environmentally-friendly, safe and seamless for the benefit of all citizens, the economy and society.
Another example being the seven European pilot sites trialing the new technology of communicating vehicles as part of the €10m Compass4D project. These ground-breaking trials are taking place across the region, one in Newcastle includes a project piloting technology where traffic lights ‘talk’ to motorists which could be rolled out to tackle congestion and pollution in major cities. This is linked to the talking traffic project in the Netherlands.
Where does it 'make no sense to compete'?
Robust cyber security practices will enable a safer CAM ecosystem, and ultimately across industry and government, there is agreement that safety and cyber security are two examples of where it makes no sense to compete.
There are no other topics in the UK Connected and Automated Mobility Roadmap to 2030 as pervasive as cyber resilience. Cyber-secure, digitally-resilient services and systems cut across every Theme and Stream and influence a large number of Milestones – 249 in total. The roadmap of dependencies ensures the network can be secure by design.
Cyber security is not just about defending against malicious actors, it also considers how day-to-day operational problems like power or communications outages can affect the delivery of safe and efficient services.
Competition within the industry to develop safety programs and cybersecurity solutions would ultimately result in the wrong kinds of outcomes. Fortunately, the leading countries in mobility see the safe delivery of CAM as a global challenge – a local solution will be neither successful nor competitive. The only way to make progress at pace is for the whole sector to align on collective goals.
Who would you like to see champion greater collaboration – industry or government?
CAM needs both government and industry to work towards their shared vision of the future.
The government can define licensing frameworks that work both nationally and locally that fit with the wider future of mobility. It will lead on legal changes that must begin to be made now to enable the safe and secure deployment, with clear responsibilities and liabilities in place, all the while aligning these at an international level.
Ultimately, government can best champion CAM by drawing together a comprehensive view of the future, identifying where there are market failures and places where support is needed.
The industry will need to collaborate with government to work towards the creation of those parameters, and within them to develop compelling services and products that will drive sustainable business models and public acceptance of CAM.
What are some of the key technologies that could underpin the global adoption of CAM?
Communication frameworks will be essential to facilitate the scalable deployment of CAM services, as well as potentially reducing congestion. A nationwide coverage plan must be established in 2023, informed by nationally agreed communication standards for CAM. This plan will aim to specify and execute the required coverage and network resilience roll out plans for a robust infrastructure solution across the UK.
Ensuring the telecommunications infrastructure is future proofed is key, 4G will provide the ubiquitous coverage needed for CAM, however before a nationwide coverage plan is established we need to be ready for 5G protocols, even 6G. Greater attention to horizon scanning will make sure we’re considering the requirements of our future network, and building the technology that will allow us to update, adapt, and swap in new tech as the infrastructure requires.
Don’t miss Daniel Ruiz’s presentation, titled The journey to 2030 and the importance of international collaboration on Wednesday, December 11 at 09:50hrs as part of Stream 2: Mass Deployment of Autonomous Vehicles. See the full conference program here. Register for your conference pass here.
