One of China's top transportation engineers has shared his expertise about self-driving cars with lawmakers in Washington as the U.S. and other countries grapple with ways to legislate autonomous vehicles. The forum brought together experts to exchange ideas about driverless cars.
Kate Fisher reports from Washington.
IN: This is what
OUT: soc
DUR: 2'35"
UPSOT: engine roar
VO #1: <Jaguar test track at DC Auto Show>
Many people come to a car show to see- an up-close look at the newest models on the market.
<b'roll Toyota self-driving concept car>
But - in just a few years time visitors the vehicles on show may not need drivers.
VOXS
"If nobody's driving it, you're a kid sitting in a car by yourself so it seems a little scary, but it sounds fun!"
"I would definitely ride in it."
"I still feel a little bit scared, but maybe if they put a really good safety system then I can trust it."
VO #2: <B'roll driverless cars being tested>
That's one of the biggest challenges of this new technology faced by the U.S. and other countries.
<b'roll Capitol Hill "Mobility Talks International" panel>
This forum – recently held on Capitol Hill- is a chance to exchange ideas.
The director of China's National Intelligent Transport System Center Xiaojing Wang shared his expertise
"In China, we want to establish an environment that encourages innovation so we established many special areas for the technicians, for the companies to test this technology. In china we integrated EV and AV in the same platform. We want to bring our chinese experience and chinese product to the world."
VO #3: <B'roll of forum>
Proifessor of transport stidies at the university of leeds, Oliver Carsten says Asia faces a different set of challenges
SOT: Oliver Carsten, University of Leeds
"They have some of the worst traffic problems in the world and some of the most disorganized, unregimented driving and riding. Huge number of motorcycles in some of those countries. So one, is may be if they can produce an automated vehicle than can handle interaction with a motorcycle because the motorcycle coming up from behind really fast when the car is trying to lane change is a very, very challenging situation with current sensors."
VO#4: <b'roll testing of autonomous vehicles>
Automaker General Motors has filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Transportation to deploy a self-driving vehicle next year. Their Director of Corporate Finance, Rachel Bhattacharya believes that once drivers understand the safety benefits, the technology will take off.
"An autonomous vehicle does not drive drunk, an autonomous vehicle does not fall asleep at the wheel, doesn't get distracted by its friend in the car. And so with all of those advances and with the safety I think you're actually going to see the sentiment shift very, very quickly."
Well, I can't go out for a spin in one of these driverless cars just yet but this is the next best thing - a simulator - let's check it out….
It feels futuristic but some industry experts believe the future is already here, and there's no turning back. Kate Fisher, Washington.