Germans Foresee a Bright Future for Self-Driving Technology
In a recent survey, it has been revealed that the German population is eager to see advancements in transportation, particularly in the areas of sharing offers and artificial intelligence (AI). The German government has announced an infrastructure special fund of 500 billion euros over 12 years, including funds for transport.
One of the most notable findings is that 76% of Germans want AI to take control in case of an emergency to avoid accidents. This sentiment extends to AI recognition of driving impairments like fatigue or alcohol, with 8 in 10 (79%) welcoming such technology. Moreover, 68% are open to AI as a driving assistant, and 57% would even want AI to intervene in case of reckless driving.
When it comes to sharing offers, 34% of Germans use bike-sharing when available, with 17% doing so frequently. Car-sharing is used by 30% when available (12% frequently), and e-scooter-sharing is used by 32% when available (14% frequently). Mopeds are only shared by 8% overall (4% frequently).
The German population is also keen on the construction of mobility stations for seamless switching between transport modes and sharing offers, with 45% expressing this desire. Among digital projects, the promotion of new public transport offers like autonomous shared taxis follows with 58%.
The majority of Germans (71%) consider sharing an environmentally friendly option, and 59% see sharing as a good complement to urban public transport. Nearly as many (70%) believe sharing can save money, and 56 percent think it's a good idea for the car to automatically book a workshop appointment in case of a problem.
In terms of infrastructure, 54% want the money to be invested in modernizing and digitizing public transport, and 64% prioritize the renovation and new construction of motorways. Better traffic management through digital technology like smart traffic lights is another key concern for 63% of the population.
The survey also indicates that 56 percent want investments in the renovation and new construction of bridges to be given priority. 61 percent wish for the expansion and modernization of railway tracks from the special fund.
Moreover, 75% of Germans see sharing offers as a good alternative to classic means of transport. 77% want AI to automatically block their vehicle in case of a theft attempt, and 88% would welcome AI showing them the way to the next parking spot.
Dr. Wintergerst, a prominent figure in the field, emphasizes the need for large model regions instead of many isolated individual projects for Germany to take a leading role, especially in the key area of autonomous driving. He suggests that autonomous vehicles must be tested not only in cities but also in suburban and rural areas, which requires long-term financing with cross-departmental bundling of funds.
While the survey does not explicitly state which German companies are favored by the public to win international competitions in autonomous vehicle technology, prominent German companies involved in this field include ZF and Mercedes-Benz. ZF is authorized to test Level-4 autonomous driving systems on German public roads, while Mercedes-Benz is implementing the "Drive Pilot" system, both indicating leadership in this field.
In conclusion, the German population is eager for advancements in transportation, particularly in the areas of sharing offers and AI. The survey results suggest that the German government's infrastructure special fund should prioritize investments in modernizing and digitizing public transport, expanding mobile network coverage along railway and road routes, renovating and constructing motorways and bridges, and implementing smart traffic management systems.
