Dietmar Exler, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz USA, is frequently asked why it’s taking so long to construct self-driving automobiles.
It’s not technology, he informs them. That’s advancing fast.
It’s not insurance and liability problems. “I do believe in lawyers,” he stated. “I’m a lawyer myself. We will solve these concerns out.”
It’s not client acceptance. As quickly as somebody rides in a car that can drive itself in bumper-to-bumper traffic, a transform is produced, he stated. “Who would argue that it’s fun to be out on the 10 between 5 and 6 p.m. on a weekday?
“The real issue,” he stated, “is humans.”
The coexistence of human drivers and robotic cars and trucks, to be exact. It’s unclear yet how well that will go.
Speaking at AutoConference LA, an occasion that runs at the same time as the L.A. Auto Show, which is co-hosted by J.D. Power and the National Automobile Dealers Assn., Exler stated even if completely driverless vehicles were sold now, they ‘d be sharing the roadway with standard cars for 20 to 25 years.
Some individuals are afraid of robots taking control. Exler is worried that people will “bully” driverless vehicles.
Human drivers indeed speed, drive unpredictably and cut in line. Driverless vehicles will be configured to be respectful and follow the law.
When someone attempts to cut in line at a traffic merge, human beings won’t let them in. But a driverless vehicle will be configured to stop when it sees a blockage– like a line cutter. “They’ll try to find the autonomous automobile and that’s where they’ll cut in,” he stated.
Theoretically, robotic cars could be set to be more aggressive, however he doubts regulators would allow that to occur.
Although, Mercedes-Benz is moving full ahead on semi-autonomous and driverless vehicles. The company was stressed that its consumers, who tend to like driving good cars, would resist.
Market testing showed otherwise. Exler spoke about a 72-year-old SLS AMG owner. He told he’d never use driverless innovation due to the fact that it would be “boring”.
But when he got a trip in a driverless S500 Mercedes in a Silicon Valley test zone, his reaction, as per Exler was: “I will purchase this vehicle today. How much do you want for it?”
