The automated truth
More than 70% of car drivers believe that it is already possible to purchase a car that can drive itself, according to a new #TestingAutomation consumer survey commissioned by Euro NCAP, Global NCAP and Thatcham Research.
Published to coincide with Euro NCAP’s first assessment of automated driving technology, the survey findings are in stark contrast to the current capabilities of such systems and highlight the significant confusion that exists amongst motoring consumers when it comes to the reality of automated or autonomous driving.
As part of its ongoing commitment to independently assess the benefits of new vehicle safety technologies, Euro NCAP has tested the comparative performance of so-called Highway Assist systems in ten cars: the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, DS 7 Crossback, Ford Focus, Hyundai NEXO, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model S, Toyota Corolla and the Volvo V60.
Euro NCAP’s key conclusions from these tests include: no car on the market is fully autonomous, driver assistance should not be confused with automated driving, driver assistance technology can help drivers maintain safe distance, speed, and to stay within their lane, and different manufacturers have implemented different approaches to the application of diver assistance technologies.
