Multitudes express interest in autonomous vehicle usage - Numerous individuals express interest in utilizing autonomous vehicles
In Germany, the future of autonomous driving is gaining traction, according to Ralf Wintergerst, the President of Bitkom. A recent survey reveals that a significant portion of the German population is open to the idea of autonomous vehicles.
The survey, conducted among Germans, revealed that 44% would willingly use autonomous trains, while 70% expressed a readiness to hop aboard autonomous buses. Remarkably, 72% of respondents showed interest in using autonomous U- or S-bahns (underground or rapid transit trains). These figures suggest a growing acceptance of autonomous driving technology among the German public.
However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Around 43% of respondents considered autonomous driving an overhyped fad, casting doubt on its rapid adoption. Despite this, the survey results indicate a positive outlook for the future of autonomous driving in Germany.
Numerous pilot projects across the country are demonstrating the potential of autonomous driving technology. One such example is the KIRA project in Darmstadt, where DB Regio Bus Mitte operates autonomous shuttles. The project, supported by research partners like DLR and KIT, utilises software from ioki and driving technology from Mobileye.
In addition to Darmstadt, around 15 model projects are underway in cities such as Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Leipzig. These projects focus on Level-4 autonomous systems, though no official type approval for Level 4 has been granted yet.
Ralf Wintergerst believes that autonomous driving is no longer a utopia but a reality that is slowly becoming a part of our daily lives. With the potential demonstrated by these pilot projects and the growing acceptance among the public, it seems that the future of autonomous driving in Germany is indeed promising.
