‘Road Race’ for AV Testing May Be Slowing

To optimize safety, as well as cost- and time-efficiency, experts espouse increased virtual testing of autonomous vehicles as preferable to the industry's rush to test on public roads.

Chris Hoyle, technical director of software specialist rFpro, believes the race by auto and technology companies to be ahead of competitor programs involving autonomous vehicle (AV) testing on public roads is losing momentum.

“This trend follows reports of autonomous vehicles being involved in fatal accidents. Now there is more competition to deliver the highest level of validation before a vehicle turns a wheel on the highway. This re-alignment of priorities is good news for all parties because it will accelerate improvements in AV safety,” Hoyle asserted.