Automated Driving — latest technical and regulatory developments in car manufacturing
In 2024, we can expect some far-reaching technical and legal adjustments for car manufacturers in the field of autonomous driving: starting with the mandatory EU-wide regulations regarding vehicle assistance systems, through US approvals for marker lights, to current technical advances of major car manufacturers, you will find all the important information about the latest innovations below.
(1) EU General Safety Regulation II
In 2024, binding EU-wide regulations will come into force that require the use of certain vehicle assistance systems in all new cars to prevent accidents and increase safety.
Not only stipulates the EU’s General Safety Regulation II which assistance systems are mandatory, but also that they can no longer be switched off permanently and will be activated automatically after every restart.
The new mandatory vehicle assistance systems at a glance:
1.) Emergency Brake Assistant: Mandatory for all vehicle classes
Emergency Brake Assistants, which monitor distance, acceleration, steering angle and pedal position, are now mandatory for all vehicle classes right down to the smallest compact car.
2.) Active Lane Keeping Assistant: For all vehicles over 60 km/h
The Active Lane Keeping Assistant, previously mainly found in mid-range and luxury cars, will be mandatory for all vehicles driving a speed of more than 60 km/h.
3.) Emergency Brake Lights: All rear lights must light up
In the future, all red and yellow lights must light up to warn other road users in the event of emergency braking at speeds of 50 km/h or more.
4.) Intelligent Speed Assistant: Recognizes speed signs
Intelligent Speed Assistants, which use cameras to recognize speed signs, are becoming mandatory. However, there are still uncertainties regarding its reliability and reaction accuracy.
5.) Drowsiness Detection: Visual and acoustic warning
Systems that detect driver fatigue and distraction are becoming mandatory. They trigger visual and audible warnings when signs of drowsiness or looking away for too long are detected.
6.) Reversing Assistant: From optional to mandatory
The Reversing Assistant, which has often been optional, will become mandatory for all new cars.
7.) Black Box: Data for accident analysis
The black box, which records data such as speed and deceleration, is being introduced as standard. This data is used in accident research to analyze and further develop test procedures and safety technologies.
8.) Head Impact Protection: Extended head impact zone
Head Impact Protection affects the design of the front of the vehicle, engine hood, windscreen, A-pillar and roof. Especially pedestrians and cyclists benefit from an extended head impact zone.
According to EU Regulation 2019/2144, these assistants have been mandatory for completely newly developed (type-approved) cars since July 6, 2022. From July 7, 2024, they will be mandatory in all newly registered cars.
However, currently there is no retrofitting obligation for current models.
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Approval of marker lights in two US states
Even though the legal situation in the US does not yet permit regular operation for the application of marker lights, one manufacturer, Mercedes-Benz, has become the world’s first car manufacturer to receive an exemption for special marker lights for automated driving in the US states of California and Nevada.
The exemption for development vehicles in California is initially limited to two years. In Nevada, on the other hand, use in production vehicles is permitted from model year 2026 and the permit is valid indefinitely until the legal situation permits regular operation.
The marker lights for automated driving will be integrated into the front and rear lights as well as the two exterior mirrors and will have turquoise lighting in California.
Standardization and harmonization for greater security
The marker lights can increase acceptance and safety, as an automated driving mode is clearly recognizable from the outside. Mercedes-Benz is committed to standardizing the color turquoise for visualizing the automated driving status. To date, there has been no standardized framework in the USA, China and the UN-ECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) that provides for the use of turquoise lights in series production vehicles. California and Nevada have taken the first important step with the exemptions that have now been granted. A future, globally harmonized regulation for turquoise marker lights for automated driving represents the basis for greater road safety for all road users and for further technical innovations. Furthermore, it also makes it easier for traffic authorities and police officers to recognize the system status and deduce that drivers are allowed to engage in secondary activities during highly automated driving when DRIVE PILOT is activated.
Color selection turquoise meets important criteria
Turquoise meets two of the most important criteria that contributed to this color choice: The visibility allows reliable and quick recognition by other road users, and it is clearly distinguishable from existing vehicle lighting and traffic signals such as traffic lights or emergency lighting. In addition, test subject studies have shown that turquoise is the optimal color for automated driving: turquoise achieved higher values than other colors for both physiological and psychological factors. Turquoise is also described in SAE J3134 “ADS Marker Lamps” as a color that indicates system status.
First use case: DRIVE PILOT
The marker lights for automated driving will initially be integrated into test vehicles in California that are equipped with DRIVE PILOT. The world’s first SAE Level 3 system for highly automated driving with internationally valid system approval received certification in Germany in 2021. In 2023, it received certification in the US states of Nevada and California. In the USA, each state requires separate certification. DRIVE PILOT has been available in Germany since 2022. In the USA, the first production vehicles recently made their debut on the roads of California and Nevada.
Highway assist: The new (BMW i5) Highway Assistant System
In the context of innovations concerning vehicle assistance, the car manufacturer BMW deserves also special mention, having recently received special German approval for its new BMW i5 130 km/h Highway Assist.
Categorization as “SAE Level 2+”
The highway assistant is categorized as SAE Level 2+, which offers “Level 3-like” functions and driving experience, although, as with Level 2, the driver’s attention and monitoring is still required. In principle, the Level 2+ vehicle can drive completely independently in defined situations such as on the highway, but the driver must not let go of the steering wheel completely and must be able to take control at all times.
BMW´s highway assistant will initially be integrated into the 5 Series model, where, in addition to distance and speed control, it will also take over the steering wheel up to the recommended speed if desired. In the US and Canada, it is already in use in the large BMW 7 Series.
Visual and acoustic warnings for more safety
With the new semi-autonomous system, the driver can take their hands off the steering wheel at speeds of up to 130 km/h while the system takes over the steering.
In addition, the active lane change assistant offers the option of automatic lane changes between speeds of 60 km/h and 180 km/h without any steering intervention by the driver. This works simply by confirming the driver’s gaze in the wing mirror, without the need for a turn signal. This function is currently only available in Germany.
The highway assistant is activated as soon as the driver is on the highway and the vehicle classifies the surroundings as suitable. This means that the assistant does not operate during roadworks or traffic jams. If the traffic situation allows, the system then carries out the necessary steering maneuvers and speed adjustments independently.
The camera in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel keeps the driver in view at all times. If the highway assistant is activated, the driver can take their hands off the steering wheel for a longer period of time as long as they keep a close eye on the traffic situation and are ready to take control at any time. If the intelligent camera detects that the driver is no longer paying the necessary attention, a warning with an acoustic signal follows immediately.
Automated Lane Changes via “eye activation”
The camera also recognizes a glance at the wing mirror, which can be used to trigger a lane change. To do this, the driver must look at the wing mirror for around two seconds or make a clearer turning movement in this direction.
Furthermore, the vehicle makes suggestions for overtaking, but it is the driver that decides and actively initiates the process.
If a destination is entered in the navigation system and the driver wants to automatically switch to the left lane shortly before the highway exit, the assistant will not do this so as not to miss the exit. However, it is still possible manually.
If the driver is on a section of highway with a speed limit, the car warns the driver if the speed limit is exceeded. The warning can be switched off for each new use of the vehicle and is automatically switched on again each time the vehicle is restarted — as it is mandatory for all newly registered cars from July 2024 onwards.
