AV Revolution & Design Evolution - The Future of Technology

The Evolution of Vehicle Design and the Rise of Autonomous Electric Vehicles

More than a hundred years have passed since the introduction of the internal combustion engine revolutionized transportation, transitioning us from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles.

The removal of the horse as a primary mode of transport spurred the development of vehicle designs focused on driver comfort and safety.

A Shift in Societal Expectations

Over time, a specific automotive paradigm became widely accepted: vehicles powered by gasoline, often prioritizing the driver with limited consideration for pedestrians or other road users, and frequently operated by inattentive individuals.

Currently, the landscape of mobility is experiencing a significant shift, paving the way for the next generation of transportation – the fully autonomous electric vehicle.

The Transformative Potential of Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) offer a unique chance to fundamentally reshape transportation by rethinking vehicle design, usage patterns, and the populations they serve.

This presents an opportunity to create a more inclusive and efficient mobility ecosystem.

Introducing the Coalition for Safe Autonomous Vehicles and Electrification (SAVE)

To facilitate this evolution, the launch of the Coalition for Safe Autonomous Vehicles and Electrification (SAVE) is being announced.

The initial members of SAVE – Zoox, Nuro, and Local Motors – share a common vision based on three key principles:

• Developing secure and reliable automated driving systems.
• Deploying AVs utilizing entirely electric platforms.
• Integrating innovative vehicle designs that enhance mobility and accessibility for everyone.

These principles are central to SAVE’s mission of advancing safe and equitable autonomous transportation.

Current Vehicle Concepts Are Insufficient

Presently, traffic congestion is largely fueled by vehicles carrying only a single passenger. This, coupled with emissions from gasoline-powered automobiles, creates issues of unequal access and a concerning increase in traffic-related fatalities. The Safety Via Autonomy (SAVE) coalition aims to unite policymakers, industry experts, and advocacy groups to enhance communities through autonomy, necessitating a fundamental re-evaluation of the automobile itself.

Developing an autonomous vehicle (AV) without accompanying alterations to vehicle design is akin to equipping a modern smartphone with a rotary dial – a mismatch of technology and potential.

Innovative Approaches to Vehicle Design

SAVE’s participating organizations are actively designing vehicles tailored for a future of mobility that prioritizes inclusivity. For example, Zoox has engineered an autonomous vehicle specifically intended for shared use, incorporating more than 100 safety features absent in traditional car models.

Furthermore, Nuro is focused on creating zero-occupant delivery AVs. These are designed with the safety of pedestrians and other external parties as a primary concern, potentially expanding access to essential goods like groceries in underserved areas.

Local Motors is contributing to this evolution by developing a shuttle service. This shuttle is intended to bridge the gap between homes and public transportation hubs, and incorporates design elements to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Key Areas of Innovation

• Shared Mobility: Vehicles designed for multiple passengers, maximizing efficiency.
• Pedestrian Safety: AVs prioritizing the well-being of those outside the vehicle.
• Accessibility: Designs catering to individuals with diverse needs.

These examples demonstrate a shift towards a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach to vehicle design, driven by the possibilities of autonomous technology.

Autonomous Vehicles and the Future of Road Safety

Last year, an estimated 38,680 lives were lost in road traffic accidents, representing a significant public health concern. Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) offer a pathway to mitigating this crisis, potentially reducing the 94% of fatal crashes attributable to human factors like impaired driving, excessive speed, and inattention.

However, the greatest safety gains will be realized when AV technology is integrated with innovative vehicle designs.

The Rising Danger to Pedestrians and Cyclists

Currently, roadways pose a greater risk to pedestrians than at any point since 1989. Historically, vehicle design has prioritized the protection of occupants, often at the expense of external safety.

This has resulted in a trend towards larger vehicles, which demonstrably increase the risk of severe injury or fatality for pedestrians and cyclists involved in collisions.

Approximately 70% of new vehicle sales are now comprised of pickups and SUVs, vehicle types that are two to three times more likely to cause pedestrian deaths compared to smaller cars.

AVs: A Paradigm Shift in Safety

AVs represent a chance to fundamentally improve safety for all road users, mirroring the impact of safety features like seat belts and airbags on occupant protection.

Research conducted by Virginia Tech indicates that even without occupants, delivery AVs designed with safety in mind can decrease fatal crashes and injuries by around 60%.

Furthermore, emerging technologies, such as the external lighting and sound systems incorporated into the Zoox vehicle, will allow AVs to actively communicate their intentions to pedestrians and other individuals sharing the road.

Key Safety Innovations

• Enhanced external lighting systems
• Audible communication features
• Vehicle designs prioritizing pedestrian safety

These advancements promise a future where roads are safer for everyone, not just those inside vehicles.

The Transition to Zero-Emission Autonomous Vehicles

A future centered around transportation with zero emissions is essential. Consequently, we are developing Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) with a fully electric design from their inception.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies the transportation sector as the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. This pollution exacerbates the incidence of severe childhood asthma, impacting communities of color at a disproportionately high rate.

However, a traffic-laden street, regardless of whether vehicles are gasoline-powered or electric, presents a similar visual scenario. Therefore, a fundamental change in vehicle utilization is also necessary.

The broad implementation of electric AVs within shared mobility services, alongside public transit and pedestrian/cycling infrastructure, has the potential to decrease CO2 emissions by as much as 80% by the year 2050.

Furthermore, the electrification of delivery services and the optimization of routes through “batching” deliveries could prevent 407 million tons of CO2 emissions between 2025 and 2035. This represents a substantial offset, equivalent to eliminating the emissions generated by powering the four largest U.S. cities for ten years.

Benefits of Electric AVs

• Reduced Emissions: Significant decrease in greenhouse gas contributions.
• Improved Efficiency: Optimized delivery routes and shared fleet utilization.
• Public Health: Mitigation of pollution-related respiratory illnesses.
• Environmental Impact: Substantial reduction in overall carbon footprint.

Shifting towards electric AVs isn't simply about changing the power source; it’s about reimagining how we approach transportation as a whole.

By integrating these technologies with existing infrastructure, we can create a more sustainable and equitable transportation ecosystem.

The Importance of Accessible and Equitable Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Services

Vehicle access is strongly correlated with employment; individuals with access to a car are four times more likely to be employed. Affordable, shared AV services have the potential to substantially lower household costs and provide vital connections to employment for Americans with limited incomes.

The benefits extend to food security as well. Autonomous delivery vehicles can enhance access to fresh produce for a significant portion of the low-income population, specifically 14 million individuals – representing 70% of the 20 million Americans residing in food deserts.

Historically, vehicle design has prioritized the needs of able-bodied individuals, consequently restricting mobility options for those with disabilities and older adults. The emergence of AV technology presents a renewed opportunity.

Designing for Inclusivity with AVs

We can now focus on creating vehicles that are universally accessible, catering to the 25.5 million Americans who experience travel-limiting disabilities. This inclusive approach could unlock approximately 2 million new employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

AVs offer a chance to redefine transportation. By prioritizing accessibility from the outset, we can ensure that the benefits of this technology are shared by all members of society.

Unlocking the Potential of Autonomous Vehicles Through Regulatory Updates

A significant infrastructure reinvestment is currently under consideration by Congress, aiming to address critical repairs and encourage wider adoption of electric vehicles. However, simply improving existing roadways will not fully realize the advantages of emerging technologies.

It is imperative that Congress proactively updates federal regulations and reconsiders the current utilization of our road networks. Revising existing vehicle standards, while upholding stringent safety protocols, will be instrumental in facilitating the widespread implementation of autonomous vehicles (AVs).

These advancements promise to deliver substantial benefits, including enhanced road safety, increased accessibility for all citizens, and a more environmentally friendly and streamlined transportation system.

Failure to adapt our policies risks repeating past mistakes, essentially postponing progress despite significant infrastructural improvements.

The Need for Updated Vehicle Standards

Current federal vehicle standards, while designed with safety in mind, may inadvertently hinder the progress of AV technology. Adjustments to these standards are necessary to accommodate the unique operational characteristics of autonomous systems.

This doesn't imply a reduction in safety requirements; rather, it calls for a re-evaluation of how safety is defined and measured in the context of self-driving vehicles.

Modernizing these regulations will allow for the safe and efficient testing and deployment of AVs, accelerating their integration into the national transportation landscape.

Benefits of Widespread AV Adoption

• Enhanced Safety: Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce accidents caused by human error.
• Increased Accessibility: AVs can provide mobility solutions for individuals who are unable to drive themselves, such as the elderly or those with disabilities.
• Improved Efficiency: Optimized traffic flow and reduced congestion can lead to a more efficient transportation network.
• Sustainability: The integration of AVs with electric vehicle technology can contribute to a more sustainable transportation sector.

Realizing these benefits requires a forward-thinking approach to regulation, one that embraces innovation while prioritizing public safety.

Without proactive policy changes, the full potential of this transformative technology will remain untapped, even with substantial investments in infrastructure.