Plenty of scope for autonomous trials

This story first appeared in the September issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

New Zealand-based autonomous driving trials might be in their infancy, but long-term the technology has the potential to change how we use transport, including a shake-up of the vehicle ownership model.

HMI Technologies Ltd has partnered with Christchurch International Airport to test a Navya Arma electric shuttle on private airport roads. And Volvo New Zealand put on an autonomous display at the New Zealand Traffic Institute conference last year in Tauranga with its XC-90.

Transport minister Simon Bridges says there’s more scope to expand on the technology being tested here.

“I’ve got no doubt the future is connected, autonomous, shared and electric,” he says.

“We will have to deal with that, whether we’re practically ready or not.”
Autonomous technology might not be the norm for the next ten years or more but Bridges says it will “radically change the way we get around”.
“What it means in a real sense is it’s going to be about congestion, which is a massive political issue and practical issue, particularly in Auckland and other high growth areas of New Zealand.”

It also has implications for the vehicle ownership model, with fewer people likely to buy cars because they won’t have to, he says.

“With young people, all they want to own is a smartphone. they can order a car and take it where they want.”

If the Government is re-elected in this month’s election, Bridges says he won’t be giving up on the autonomous test bed idea.

“If I keep the portfolios I will get back over to Silicon Valley and Israel and work to bring more technology and trials to New Zealand.”

Success in similar fields, such as Rocket Lab launching rockets off the Mahia Peninsula, shows it can be done, he says.

“With the Rocket Lab launch we’re finally being recognised as somewhere that’s not just about sheep and The Hobbit.”

A mix of tech-savvy people and a varied landscape makes New Zealand an appealing place to test autonomous vehicles, Bridges says.

“Our competitive advantage is pretty simple. It’s interesting geography and a lot of clear space. You can go from sun to snow in a short space of time.”
HMI Technologies new initiatives director Dave Verma says the trial at Christchurch Airport covers many bases.

“The objective for both HMI and Christchurch International Airport is to develop a complete understanding of all the elements involved in the autonomous vehicle space – their use, operations and associated infrastructure requirements.”
The airport trial could eventually lead to an autonomous vehicle shuttle service taking passengers a short distance from the terminal to rental car depots or other customer services.

What about passenger cars?

Volvo New Zealand general manager Coby Duggan says last year’s XC-90 demonstration drive in Tauranga highlighted what the technology could do at that point.

“The pilot assist at that stage was the most advanced autonomous technology. It’s been enhanced further for 2018.

“The pilot assist can brake for itself, accelerate for itself and steer for itself between lane markings.

“Every model brings with it another set of enhancements. It started life as intelligent cruise control.”

The XC-90 offers level 2 or partial autonomy, with the driver able to take back control. The scale ranks vehicles between one and five, with level 5 vehicles fully autonomous.

Autonomous vehicles might be a strange concept for some members of the public but they will eventually become more and more commonplace, Duggan says.

“It’s quite disconcerting for some customers. Autonomous driving is never about taking away the fun bits. It’s about taking away the boring bits.

“For us it’s about rolling out the technology as it arrives and as the customers get more familiar with it.”

But autonomous technology needs roading infrastructure to be up to scratch.
“It’s quite geared towards infrastructure, which proves the value of good quality lane markings.

“The tricky thing is technology in cars is moving much faster than infrastructure is. We need to be clear about what the infrastructure requirements are.”
Duggan would like to see more autonomous trials here through Volvo but he says there’s worldwide competition for that honour.

There are three large Volvo trials starting soon in Gothenburg, London and Shanghai, he says.

In the Gothenburg trial, fully autonomous XC-90s will be given to Swedish families.

Back in the Kiwi market, Duggan says it’s too early to know how autonomous driving will affect the car ownership model.