EU automotive and telecoms sectors to launch autonomous driving project

Europe’s leading automotive and telecoms trade associations intend to come together to launch a large scale project to test connected and autonomous driving technologies.

The objectives of the project were outlined at a meeting in Brussels on 7 July, hosted by Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Society. It aims to strengthen Europe’s leadership in connected and autonomous driving by accelerating EU-wide deployment.

The project will focus on three main areas: autonomous driving, road safety and traffic efficiency, and the digitalisation of transports and logistics. Work is expected to start in 2017 and will run in two phases. The first will run until 2019 and will feature tests on available communication technologies. The second phase will run until 2021 and will be based on 4G and 5G technologies.

There will be a key focus on ensuring that connected and automated driving offers a a safer and more efficient experience for drivers, taking into account driver safety and issues such as cyber-security and protection of personal data.

The organisations involved in the project are: ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association), CLEPA (the European Association of Automotive Suppliers), ETNO (the principal policy group for European electronic communications network operators), ECTA (European Competitive Telecommunications Association) and GSMA (which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide).

Read more