Autoliv has announced it has joined a new project that will support the development of self-driving vehicle technology. According to a statement, the Swedish safety systems company will work on the Drive Me initiative. It will join existing partners Volvo Car Group, the Swedish Transport Administration, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park (Sweden), the City of Gothenburg (Sweden) and Chalmers University on the project which is backed by the Swedish government.
Significance: The Drive Me project is aimed at positioning Sweden and those involved as leaders in the development of this new technology. Autoliv is highly involved in the light-vehicle safety sector and is keen to increase its presence, particularly in the area of active systems, which will need to be integrated in to the new self-driving technology which is being developed. Indeed, Autoliv chairman, president and CEO Jan Carlson said on the announcement, "In order for autonomous driving to become part of our lives, everything from brake pads to traffic lights have to harmonize intelligently and safely. This is how we will save more lives, secure a sustainable transportation development and underpin a more effective and innovative infrastructure. And just as important as the technological developments is the fact that now companies, academia and authorities cooperate to create hands-on solutions for the needs of tomorrow." The project is set to culminate with in 2017 with 100 self-driving Volvo cars which will be used on 50km of selected roads in and around Gothenburg (Sweden) which will be typical commuter arteries including motorway conditions and frequent queues. This is one of a number of initiatives that Autoliv is working on to improve safety technology such as the vehicle and traffic safety centre SAFER, test facility AstaZero, SIA Automated Transport and Research Investment, Wallenberg Autonomous Systems Program WASP, as well as other research projects with several universities. Globally, there is also a wider push to launch this technology, with OEMs and automotive component supplier being joined by governments, research institutions and high technology in looking at ways of bringing the technology to market. However, there are likely to be many barriers that will need to be surmounted before fully automated vehicles come in to the mainstream.
