The fundamental problem with asking whether automated vehicles are safe is that there are currently no commonly accepted methods of even evaluating this new technology. Any company that claims its system is safe is doing so based on its own internally developed procedures that typically aren’t shared with the public. A new initiative from SAE International aims to address that problem by bringing some transparency to AV testing.
In a brief statement at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars this week, SAE International Chief Product Officer Frank Menchaca announced that the organization would be starting development of an automated vehicle safety testing program. The first iteration of the framework and safety principles are planned to be published by the end of 2018.
