The decision means Samsung is now in direct competition with the likes of US technology firms, including Waymo and Apple, all of whom are already testing self-driving vehicles on public roads. Apple has been granted permission to test vehicles in California and Google’s self-driving car spin-off, Waymo, has announced that it is opening up its vehicles to members of the public for the first time.
Samsung has developed a host of advanced sensors and machine-learning systems, also has plans to develop algorithms, sensors and computer modules for self-driving vehicles and its recent acquisition of the US automotive and audio supplier Harman International has provided it with access to an even broader range of transformative technologies.
But there are still big questions that need answering when it comes to self-driving vehicles – just how will they be made available to the public and, when it comes to vehicle production, will technology companies ultimately have to become car makers?
Another important issue is that of insurance.
A report from insurer Allianz – Global Claims Review – Liability in Focus – concludes the rise of autonomous driving is expected to have serious implications for insurers. The roll-out of self-driving vehicles is likely to lead to a decline in car ownership as more people turn to car sharing or make greater use of driverless taxis. As a result, traditional insurance models might have to move away from meeting the needs of individual drivers to those of manufacturers, fleet owners and operators.
All of which means that insurers will need to develop a better technical understanding of the technology they will be insuring and to move away from relying on traditional methods when it comes to pricing.
And, when it comes to an accident involving an autonomous vehicle, who will be liable – the vehicle’s manufacturer, the software provider or the fleet operator?
The development of self-driving or autonomous vehicles appears to be speeding ahead and many leading companies are betting heavily on it. But while it does bring opportunities and advantages, as the Allianz report shows, many questions have yet to be answered.
