The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is working on a new rating system that will assess the precautions that partially automated vehicles utilize to keep drivers focused on the road.
The system must ensure that a driver’s eyes are always on the road and their hands are never left on the wheel. The first set of ratings is expected in 2022, according to the IIHS. The exact date is unknown due to ongoing supply chain issues in the auto sector, making it more difficult to obtain vehicles for testing.
“While partial automation systems may make long rides appear less taxing, there is little evidence that they make driving safer,” IIHS President David Harkey adds. “In reality, if systems lack proper safeguards, the converse may be true.”
Consumer Reports has indicated that it would begin awarding points for partially automated driving systems that have acceptable driver monitoring systems, and will take into account IIHS safety ratings whenever they become available. Despite some manufacturers’ misinformation, self-driving cars are not yet available to the general public. Many automobiles on the market feature some level of automation.
Partial automation systems are marketed under many names such as Autopilot, Pilot Assist, and Super Cruise. Lane switching that is automated is likewise becoming increasingly widespread. Some manufacturers have exaggerated the capabilities of their systems, leading drivers to regard them as if they could drive the car on their own.
According to IIHS Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, who is directing the new rating program, deliberate misuse is not the only issue.
“Many of these technologies operate in such a manner that individuals believe they can accomplish more than they actually can,” Mueller explains. “However, even when drivers are aware of the limitations of partial automation, their thoughts can stray.” When we’re watching and waiting for a problem to happen, it’s tougher for us to be cautious than when we’re doing all the driving ourselves.”
No technology can tell if a person’s mind is on the road or not. Technology, on the other hand, can track a person’s gaze, head posture, and hand position to ensure that they are consistent with someone who is actively driving.
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IIHS ratings are designed to promote protections that can assist avoid both purposeful and unintended misuse. The more sorts of signals a driver receives, the more likely they are to notice and respond, according to research. Chimes, vibrations, pulsing brakes, and yanking on seat belts are all possible alerts. If the driver fails to reply, the system should slow or halt the vehicle, as well as alert a manufacturer concierge, who can call emergency services if necessary.
If the driver fails to reply, the system should slow or halt the vehicle, as well as alert a manufacturer concierge, who can call emergency services if necessary. When this happens, the driver should be locked out of the system for the rest of the trip until the engine is turned off and on again.
Lane centering features must also encourage the driver to participate in steering rather than automatically turn off anytime the driver moves the wheel, essentially discouraging them from doing so. When a driver’s seat belt is undone or when automatic emergency braking or lane departure prevention is off, systems should be built to prevent them from deploying partial automation capabilities.
“No one knows when, if ever, we’ll have truly self-driving automobiles.” “As automakers increasingly integrate partial automation into their vehicles, it’s critical that they include effective safeguards that help drivers keep their heads in the game,” Harkey adds.
Requirements for achieving a high partial automation safety rating
- The driver’s eyes and hand position are both monitored.
- To gain the attention of the driver, it employs a variety of quickly growing alarms.
- The fail-safe mechanism slows the vehicle, alerts the manufacturer, and disables automation for the rest of the journey.
- The driver must initiate or confirm automated lane changes.
- After a long pause or if the driver is not looking at the road, adaptive cruise control does not automatically resume.
- Driver steering is not discouraged by lane centering.
- When the seat belt is loosened, the automation features are disabled.
- When automatic emergency braking or lane departure prevention/warning are disabled, automation features are unavailable.
