DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 AFTERMARKET 25 www.aftermarketonline.net APPG makes eight selfdriving recommendations Following a series of industry workshops and an open call for evidence, the Self-Driving All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has published a wellinformed policy paper on the economic, environmental and safety benefits. In the foreword, chairman Ben Everitt MP explains that Starship delivery robots have become commonplace in his constituency, Milton Keynes, which recently secured £2m in Government funding for a self-driving shuttle service. “If the Government introduces self-driving vehicle legislation, investor confidence in British businesses will be strengthened. Beyond the benefits to our economy, self-driving vehicles could also make our roads safer, reconnect people and communities, and help us to reach net zero.” The paper included eight key recommendations and, pleasingly, the top one was met within days of it being published – a call for legislation to legalise the commercial deployment of selfdriving vehicles in this year’s King’s Speech. Tick! Further recommendations included: Alternative legislative pathways for advanced driverless trials Sector-specific approach to AI regulation. R&D into smart technology for reduced emissions and increased safety Dialogue to ensure benefits are understood by rail, maritime and aviation sectors Clarity for insurers and developers to create safety protocols/liability frameworks Proportionate safety controls for deployment Government working with industry to champion selfdriving and boost public awareness. In welcome news, “self-driving vehicles” received a specific mention in the King’s Speech at the Houses of Parliament on 7 November. This had been widely expected in the Queen’s Speech of 2022, but it surprisingly failed to materialise. The long-awaited green light came halfway through, with King Charles III saying: “My Ministers will introduce new legal frameworks to support the safe commercial development of emerging industries, such as self-driving vehicles, introduce new competition rules for digital markets, and encourage innovation in technologies such as machine learning.” The Government says its Automated Vehicles Bill will provide the sector with certainty and confidence. Be in no doubt, the UK has just taken a significant step towards legal self-driving. The excitement (perhaps relief for many) was tangible, reflected in swift reactions from an array of industry big-hitters. Wayve co-founder Alex Kendall said: “By setting out a clear path to commercialisation, new primary legislation for self-driving vehicles gives us the confidence to continue investing in R&D and growing our talent base here in the UK.” AXA’s Tara Foley said: “As a large motor insurer, we have long been calling for this legislation to improve road safety. There are also benefits for the wider economy. It’s estimated that the selfdriving industry will be worth £42 billion and create up to 50,000 highly skilled jobs by 2035. A legislative framework opens up opportunities for businesses to capitalise on this. For insurers, it also provides crucial clarity for establishing liability.” Professor Paul Newman CBE, Co-founder of Oxa, said: “Delivery of the AV Bill has taken a vast amount of smart thinking from agencies across the UK, including DfT, CCAV (Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles), the VCA, BSI, the Law Commission, Ministers, business leaders and technologists like myself. The Bill will lead to new laws and a comprehensive regulatory framework creating a new class of driver (the first in 100 years) delivering clear partitioning of responsibilities and accountabilities for all the actors.” For the aftermarket, Philippe Colpron of ZF said: “One crucial challenge we should not overlook is the importance of predictive and connected maintenance solutions for the autonomous vehicles. While they promise advancements in safety, efficiency and convenience, their success is intricately linked to diligent and preventive maintenance solutions. “There are currently over 42,000 repair and maintenance businesses across the UK and we must bring them along, for example through training and workshop technology, so they can continue servicing the vehicles of today and tomorrow.” Industry reaction to self-driving in King’s Speech
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