car nation germany distrustful of driverless vehicles
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

to be convinced by the technology

Car nation' Germany distrustful of driverless vehicles

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Car nation' Germany distrustful of driverless vehicles

Visitors to the IAA can be taken for a spin in driverless cars
Frankfurt am Main - Al Maghrib Today

German carmakers are showing off their self-driving cars at the IAA international auto show in Frankfurt, but most people in the car-mad country have yet to be convinced by the technology.

Curious visitors to the biennial trade fair, which lasts until September 24, can entrust their lives to a computer on a specially created car at a test track overlooked by Daimler and Volkswagen's giant stands.

An expert is behind the wheel, if not grasping it firmly, to demonstrate how a car studded with sensors and cameras can perform an emergency stop, react to a sudden lane change or park itself -- even while hauling a horse trailer.

"This is crazy!" one passenger laughed as their vehicle raced towards an obstacle at 50 kilometres per hour (30 mph) before braking sharply without the driver touching the controls.

Rival carmakers and parts suppliers -- Daimler, Volkswagen, Audi, Bosch, Continental and ZF -- came together for the scheme, part of a broader push for acceptance as high-tech US firms like Google and Tesla appear to be streaking ahead.

At present, just 26 percent of Germans say they would ride in an autonomous car, while even fewer -- 18 percent -- would own one, a recent survey from consultancy firm Ernst & Young found.

- OK Computer? -

"The braking was great fun," Lena Dickeduisberg, a student, said after stepping out of the demonstration car, her hair slightly tousled from the ride.

Beyond the thrill of the test track, cars will need to perform such manoeuvres reliably in all kinds of situations if carmakers are ever to attain the highest level of autonomy, known as "level five" -- meaning a car that can do without a driver altogether.

"It will take time, but it's the future," Dickeduisberg smiled confidently. "I believe in the technology."

"What a dream it would be, a car that takes me from A to B while I read the paper or my clients' documents. But maybe I'm just saying that because of my age," said salesman Randolf Mayer, 61.

The two are far from typical among the German public, long wedded to the idea that driving should be pleasurable.

Volkswagen adverts in the 1990s introduced the United States to its self-minted German portmanteau "Fahrvergnuegen" -- or "driving enjoyment".

"Driving isn't just functional, it's got to be enjoyable," said Georg Pfennig, an Austrian attendee.

Automation "makes sense for young people or for the elderly who might have trouble with some manoeuvres", he grudgingly allowed.

Self-driving cars "could drive as a convoy on motorways where everything is automated, but not to go shopping in town", judged Lars Heider, an engineering student.

"Unless everyone is using one, but then you have to be able to afford a self-driving car," he added.

- Money machine -

The auto industry is all too aware of the cost of automation, which remains "very high", said Patrick Koller, chief executive of parts supplier Faurecia.

Joint investments in research and development have become the rule in the field, such as the German carmaker BMW's alliance with US-based chipmaker Intel, Israeli smart-camera firm Mobileye and Italian-American FiatChrysler.

Elsewhere, the Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler has joined forces with the parts supplier Bosch, while Volkswagen is drawing on its luxury subsidiary Audi.

And Audi, BMW and Daimler pooled their cash to buy Here, a company specialising in the hyper-detailed maps that are vital for autonomous driving.

But ordinary drivers must be convinced that autonomous driving is safe before their reticence can be overcome, according to the Centre of Automotive Management (CAM), a research institute near Cologne in western Germany.

Self-driving cars "will save lives", Rolf Bulander, the head of Bosch's mobility division, told AFP, adding that he believed "people will get used" to the increasing power and adaptability of driving-assistance systems.

Enormous sums are at stake for companies like Bosch, which expects revenue from such systems to double by 2019, reaching 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion).

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

car nation germany distrustful of driverless vehicles car nation germany distrustful of driverless vehicles

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

car nation germany distrustful of driverless vehicles car nation germany distrustful of driverless vehicles

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 12:50 2017 Friday ,15 September

Fati Jamali received offer to participate

GMT 11:50 2017 Friday ,08 September

Ragheb does not intend to participate in drama

GMT 09:45 2018 Friday ,19 January

Syria threatens to 'destroy' Turkish warplanes

GMT 14:54 2018 Sunday ,07 January

Monfils predicts 'tough' Australian Open

GMT 12:13 2017 Thursday ,24 August

Qamar praises reactions to “Kiss My Lips”

GMT 20:38 2012 Thursday ,08 November

Iraq needs $1 trillion to rebuild

GMT 19:53 2016 Thursday ,13 October

Study: Egypt 'first date fruit producer' in world

GMT 13:33 2016 Thursday ,25 August

European equities slide in choppy trade

GMT 16:06 2011 Monday ,01 August

England lucky as France draw Spain

GMT 11:23 2012 Thursday ,02 February

Facebook files for highly anticipated IPO

GMT 22:19 2017 Thursday ,17 August

Opening of border to Qatari pilgrims welcomed

GMT 10:06 2017 Tuesday ,17 October

Cuba has duty to prevent attacks on US envoys: Trump

GMT 08:19 2017 Friday ,14 April

Nelly Karim in Luxor to stimulate tourism

GMT 09:28 2012 Thursday ,19 April

AD Sports to air UAE football in HD, surround sound

GMT 13:45 2017 Sunday ,30 April

Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor in Dubai

GMT 20:13 2017 Wednesday ,27 September

Kuwait’s economic measures provided

GMT 22:30 2017 Friday ,29 September

Official underlines economic improvement

GMT 11:05 2017 Wednesday ,27 December

British navy frigate escorts Russian warship in North Sea
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday