The successful scaling of autonomous vehicles (AVs) hinges primarily on proving their safety to regulators and consumers, requiring robust collaboration between policymakers, automakers, and technology innovators. Experts emphasize that building public trust and integrating AVs into existing infrastructure are crucial for widespread adoption.
The AV market is growing rapidly, but scaling up requires ensuring the vehicles are safe and readily accepted by drivers and riders. This topic was the focus of the virtual event, “Inside Self-Driving: The AI-Driven Evolution of Autonomous Vehicles,” presented by Mobileye, where industry experts discussed the transformation of the technology and the necessary collaborations among automakers, tech innovators, and policymakers.
Proving safety to both users and regulators is paramount for scaling AV technology, stated AI expert Dr. Deborah Berebichez. For consumers, AVs have largely remained a novelty, according to Stephen Hayes, vice president of autonomous, fleets, and driver operations at Lyft. To shift this perception, companies must educate users, highlight safety features, and ensure that riders’ experiences are “delightful” enough to encourage opting in for future autonomous trips.
Demonstrating that AV crash rates are lower than those of human drivers is a key data point for regulators, noted JJ Jungwirth, executive vice president of autonomous vehicles at Mobileye. He added that the technology “never sleeps”—it uses sensors and cameras that “react in milliseconds,” significantly faster than humans. Jungwirth also stressed that regulators should understand that special lanes or infrastructure modifications are not necessary to accommodate AVs on roadways.
Hayes emphasized the necessity of partnerships, stating: “The market opportunity here is enormous. More players are realizing that we can go further by finding partners that have very complementary skill sets.”
The focus has shifted from AVs being a “science project into an actual product,” said James Philbin, head of autonomy at Rivian, during the second session, which focused on integrating the technology into everyday life.
While significant AV deployments currently exist in certain cities, such as San Francisco, Philbin expects rapid scaling, with the next phase involving the incorporation of more personally owned self-driving vehicles.
A major challenge is integrating AVs into existing transportation networks as the technology expands, a focus for Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, according to Charlie Tyson, the office’s technology activation director.
Philbin expects AV taxis to become ubiquitous and personal vehicles to feature more autonomous capabilities, as the goal is to normalize AV use and increase driver comfort. Tyson added that the public needs more opportunities to “experience the technology.” Pilot projects in Michigan showed that nearly all AV riders would take another trip and recommend it, though they felt less comfortable without a human safety driver.
“I don’t think the trust issue is going to be a persistent one,” Philbin countered. “As people get more used to those high levels of autonomy, they’ll expect more autonomy in their vehicles.”
AV makers are actively working to advance the technology, ensuring vehicles adapt to harsh weather and high-population densities, while collecting crucial data on real-world driving behaviors, Philbin explained.
Ultimately, Tyson concluded that the industry must focus on debunking the myth that AV technology is unsafe or unready for everyday consumers. “I think it’s just the opposite,” he said. “Let’s get these vehicles out there, and let’s allow people to experience them.”
