The automobile industry is one of Germany’s strongest and most important industries. But while German carmakers still struggle with the diesel emission scandal, the whole sector is facing a great revolution. Various companies are working intensively on the development of the next major milestone in mobility that incorporates the megatrends of electric, connected, shared and autonomous driving. The combination of these trends can reduce CO2 emissions and eliminate a significant portion of traffic jams while increasing mobility and space utilization in urban areas.
The technology of autonomous driving is perceived to be disruptive and thus many challenges and obstacles remain before the new technology becomes superior to human drivers. Jan Kachelmaier explores the status quo of the development of autonomous vehicles at German Manufacturers. The author identifies future impediments until market entrance and recommends managerial actions.
Keywords:
- Autuonomous Vehicles;
- Artificial Intelligence;
- Germany;
- Transportation;
- Car Sharing
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Literature Review
2.1 The History and Development of the German Automobile Industry
2.2 Autonomous Driving
3 Research Aims and Contribution
3.1 Research Aim
3.2 Significance of the Study
3.3 Research Question and Objectives
4 Methodology
4.1 Research Design
4.2 Data Collection
4.3 Sampling Strategy
4.4 Data Analysis
5 Primary Research Analysis
5.1 Qualitative Analysis
5.2 Quantitative Analysis
6 Discussion
6.1 Technology
6.2 Legal and Regulatory Environment
6.3 Customer Readiness
6.4 Key Recommendation for German OEMs
7 Guidance for Future Research
7.1 Theoretical and Methodological Limitations
7.2 Suggestions for Future Research
7.3 Personal Reflection of the Paper
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
This research paper aims to investigate the current status of autonomous vehicle (AV) development within German original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The primary objective is to identify existing obstacles and potential future challenges, while providing actionable managerial recommendations to ensure the continued competitiveness of the German automotive industry in the era of autonomous driving.
- Current technological status and development challenges of AVs.
- Legal and regulatory framework analysis in Germany.
- Customer readiness and technology acceptance among the target population.
- Strategic implications for German OEMs regarding future mobility.
- Analysis of market segmentation and potential deployment scenarios.
Excerpt from the Book
Technology
The emerging technology offers various promising advantages and benefits, though several R&D (research and development) obstacle remain before implementing the technology becomes possible. The technological development challenges are similar for all OEMs around the world as most components are developed nonexclusively by top-tier suppliers. One exception is the ‘brain’ of the vehicle, the AI (artificial intelligence) which interprets the driving environment and steers the vehicle. The key development areas can be divided into the following three categories: Sensing and interpreting the driving environment, communication and cybersecurity (Anderson, et al., 2016).
Sensing and interpreting the driving environment. Anderson, et al. (2016) define a three-phase sense-plan-act design that AVs underline. Firstly, the driving environment is sensed. Secondly, the vehicle’s action is planned and eventually carried out through an actionable command in the third step. These loops occur all the time and in parallel. Cameras and various sensors are responsible for scanning the environment and gathering input information. The difficulty for the sensors is to accurately perceive the driving environment as it is a very dynamic and complex situation. Especially sensing the variety of different elements is a challenge such as various road obstacles including pedestrians, wildlife, debris, cyclists or traffic events such as roadwork, congestion or crashes as well infrastructure conditions including various and rough surfaces, poorly marked roads or lanes, detours and defect traffic lights. The lidar (light detection and ranging) system is able to determine obstacles by using laser ranger finders. However, it functions reliably only over shorter ranges and on certain well reflecting materials. Whereas the Velodyne system works to a range of up to 120 meters. But, on low reflecting materials such as asphalt, the system only works up to 50 meters. On small distances, infrared systems are capable of detecting lane markings without lighting. Another sensor technology used in AVs is radar (radio detection and ranging) which works well on metallic objects such as vehicles but poorly on non-metallic obstacles such as pedestrians. Therefore, pedestrians and bicycles can be spotted by infrared sensors. Ultrasonic sensors are accurate on short ranges of 1 to 10 meters and thus are very useful for parking assistance and backup warning.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the German automotive industry and introduces the four major megatrends, with a focus on autonomous driving as the ultimate combination.
2 Literature Review: Discusses the history of the German automobile industry and provides a comprehensive look at the evolution and current state of autonomous driving technology.
3 Research Aims and Contribution: Defines the specific research objectives and outlines the significance of the study for German OEMs and the national economy.
4 Methodology: Explains the empirical research design, including the concurrent mixed-method approach, data collection tools, and sampling strategy.
5 Primary Research Analysis: Presents the findings from qualitative expert interviews and quantitative surveys concerning technology, regulation, and consumer readiness.
6 Discussion: Analyzes the research findings and provides strategic recommendations for German OEMs to maintain their market leadership.
7 Guidance for Future Research: Addresses the limitations of the current study and suggests directions for future academic inquiries.
Keywords
Autonomous Vehicles, German Automotive Industry, OEMs, Technology, Legal Environment, Regulatory Framework, Customer Readiness, Mobility Providers, Artificial Intelligence, Sensor Technology, Cybersecurity, Consumer Acceptance, Driving Automation, Market Strategy, Innovation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the status quo of autonomous vehicle development within German automotive manufacturers and the challenges they face in maintaining their premium market position.
What are the primary pillars of the study?
The study is structured around three key pillars: the underlying technology, the legal and regulatory environment in Germany, and customer readiness regarding the adoption of autonomous driving.
What is the main objective of this paper?
The main objective is to explore the development status of AVs at German OEMs, identify upcoming impediments to market entry, and propose specific managerial actions to overcome these barriers.
What research methodology was employed?
The author utilized a concurrent mixed-method approach, combining qualitative semi-structured expert interviews with a quantitative online survey conducted among private German end-users.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body examines the technological challenges of AI and sensing systems, the current German and international legal situation regarding liability and ethics, and the empirical data on consumer sentiment.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include autonomous vehicles, German automotive industry, mobility providers, artificial intelligence, regulatory frameworks, and technology acceptance.
How do German OEMs differ from newcomers like Waymo?
German OEMs are seen as having traditional engineering strengths and high brand trustworthiness, whereas newcomers often possess advantages in advanced AI software and rapid testing cycles.
What impact does gender have on customer readiness?
The research indicates that while overall willingness to use AVs does not significantly differ by gender, females are notably more open to abandoning private car ownership than males.
How do media reports influence potential users?
The findings suggest that media influence significantly affects consumer opinion, with women being more susceptible to the impact of negative news articles regarding autonomous vehicle accidents compared to men.
- Quote paper
- Jan Kachelmaier (Author), 2018, Autonomous Vehicles in Germany. An Exploration of the Technology, Legal and Regulatory Environment, and Customer Readiness, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/434744
