“In China and the United States, where there are more self-driving vehicles on the roads, progress is very fast and consistent.” Safety and reliability: what are the challenges? YANNICK RAYNAUD Group Scientific Director, OPmobility How would you assess the safety of connected and self-driving vehicles today? Yannick Raynaud. Cybersecurity and software protection are the main challenges facing connected vehicles. Regulations on cybersecurity for road vehicles are global and are enforced by the ISO(1). Automotive manufacturers must take measures to ensure the cybersecurity of their vehicles, detect and respond to safety incidents, and provide safe software updates throughout their vehicles’ lifetime. This is a major change. However, regulations and interpretations vary for self-driving vehicles. In China and the United States, where there are more self driving vehicles on the roads, progress is very fast and consistent. In comparison to traditional vehicles, what are the specific safety issues that affect self-driving vehicles? Y. R. The biggest challenge lies in ensuring cohabitation on open roads. Pedestrians and other vehicles must be able to communicate effectively with self-driving vehicles to avoid any kind of danger. However, this requires a high level of acceptance of this type of vehicle and artificial intelligence in general. It is therefore vital to provide the public with all the information they need to change public attitudes and ensure everybody’s safety. What particular challenges have you encountered when it comes to regulations and cybersecurity? Y. R. There’s always a gap between regulations and reality. Cybercriminals often outpace the capabilities of protection systems. Consequently, automotive manufacturers and suppliers must anticipate these threats. With the development of new technologies, including quantum computers which are built on principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations much more quickly than a standard computer, it is vital to strengthen protective measures. This is crucial to ensure the safety of vehicles, people, and companies in what we call post-quantum cryptography. How do you see the future of self-driving vehicles, in light of changing technologies and business models? Y. R. The future will be multifaceted, there is no doubt about it. Some players will evolve more quickly than others. Freight transport will continue to grow, but the issue of passenger transport remains uncertain and will depend on the public’s acceptance of these vehicles. In terms of technologies, as soon as a dedicated business model emerges, like those of Zoox, Waymo, and Baidu in China, new possibilities and opportunities open up. Already active in 19 cities with an operating area of 600 km², China is accelerating the roll-out of this technology this year, for both light and heavy mobility. For example, in a few years, we could see the emergence of infrared headlights that will improve night vision by projecting beams that are invisible to the naked eye. The future is bright for young engineers! THE EXPERT — 1. International Organization for Standardization.
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