He explains that more than 1.3 million people worldwide lose their lives in traffic accidents each year. “For young people in particular, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death. RAI Automotive Industry NL is committed to supporting various developments in collaboration with Dutch companies, research institutions, and governments to create a safer, more flexible, and more comfortable mobility network.”
Smart Mobility Players
While the focus in the past was on passive safety systems (airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones, etc.), today's emphasis is on active safety systems (ADAS) that help prevent accidents altogether. The Automotive Campus in Helmond, where many leading players are active, brings both worlds together. According to Hendrix, a good example is TASS International, which extensively tests seatbelts, crash safety, and ADAS systems for vehicle certification. "Car manufacturers from all over the world bring their vehicles and trucks here for crash testing before they receive the ‘OK, approved’ stamp.” Additionally, RAI Automotive Industry NL brings together dozens of parties with smart mobility expertise.
The Impact of Traffic Accidents is Enormous
Companies such as TomTom, NXP, Siemens, TNO, and V-tron participate in the Digital Infrastructure for Future-Proof Mobility (DITM) project. Under the umbrella of RAI Automotive Industry NL and Brainport Development, these partners are working on implementing digital infrastructure for automated transport.
"Within the DITM project, we develop software and data flows for the design, testing, and operational phases of intelligent systems that support both human drivers and autonomous vehicles in safely carrying out driving tasks." – Gwen van Vugt, Sr. Director Simcenter Autonomy at Siemens Industry Software Netherlands B.V.
Minimum Safety Requirements
A lot of technology is already available to prevent accidents, Hendrix continues. "Yet, the Netherlands and the rest of the world still struggle to make this technology widely accessible. ADAS is now available in many cars, but it is often not standard and can only be added at a high cost. More pressure is needed to increase adoption (possibly through regulation) and thereby lower prices.” According to Hendrix, prices could also decrease through tax incentives.
Additionally, current systems are not yet good enough, leading consumers to find them irritating and frequently turn them off. "The acceptance rate of ADAS systems needs to increase by improving their quality, for example, by setting minimum standards. Furthermore, all stakeholders - including the government and the industry - should work together to enhance consumer awareness of ADAS systems and their functionality. There is still significant progress to be made in this area."
