How Manufacturers Can Switch Gears for Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Driving into an Autonomous Future

Autonomous vehicle technology has continued to receive attention due to constant innovation in smart manufacturing such as industrial grade computers, AI, machine learning, and more, bringing us closer and closer to their development. On November 11, 2020, Honda Motor Co announced that they were given the authorization to begin selling Level 3 Autonomous Vehicles. And just like that, self-driving cars and autonomous vehicle technology are no longer things to just daydream about.

So, what does that mean for the average automotive manufacturer? What kinds of policies, technologies, and considerations will they need to entertain so that they aren’t left behind?

Understand the Chronology of Autonomous Vehicle Rollout

It’s essential to understand that several things need to be meticulously tested and fine-tuned when it comes to autonomous vehicle safety, which is why self-driving vehicle manufacturing has been and is continuing to be conducted in waves or “levels.”

Manufacturers looking to jump onto the self-driving vehicle trend will want to understand these levels and how their business can meet consumer needs. These different stages of autonomous vehicles hit both the market and the road.

What Are the Levels of Autonomous Vehicle Technology?

The 6 levels of autonomous vehicle technology are:

Level 0: No automation.

Level 1: Vehicles that perform minor steering and acceleration with the bulk of all other operations under human control.

Level 2: Vehicles that automatically respond to dangerous situations, such as scenarios where a vehicle may need to come to a sudden stop to avoid an accident. These vehicles still require the driver to be alert and responsive to other stimuli.

Level 3: Vehicles that can drive themselves in specific scenarios without any human input. This can usually only be performed in busier urban settings. Level 3 vehicles still require drivers to take over operations if they believe transference of control is necessary.

Level 4: Vehicles capable of “fully autonomous driving.” A human driver is still in the car and can request control at any time, but the vehicle can handle most driving situations independently.

Level 5: The holy grail of autonomous vehicle technology. Level 5 autonomous vehicles may not even require steering wheels and can perform all driving functions in all scenarios without human input.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI and Machine Learning (ML) are the algorithms that will translate vehicle sensor data into actions performed by the vehicle. Not only will the cars themselves require AI and ML, but your facility is also going to need them to build and test these machines as well. Autonomous vehicle safety can be ensured financially by having digital simulations run based on trained ML algorithms.

Data Protection Systems

If it wasn’t already apparent, autonomous vehicle technology is extraordinarily complex and relies on a lot of data. Opening the door to all this data also compromises autonomous vehicle safety by opening the door to more remote attacks on that data.

Unauthorized users can hack into autonomous vehicles. Fortunately, the house passed bills that require those selling motorized vehicles to provide plans for cybersecurity fortification before they can be sold domestically. Familiarizing yourself with what these plans call for and what kind of cybersecurity is necessary is well advised.

Your plant will need fortifications against cybersecurity threats as well. Consider industrial-grade rugged PCs that are equipped with identity-authenticating hardware such as RFID and CAC scanners. In conjunction with blockchain ledgers, employees across all levels of your supply chain can authenticate anyone requesting access to data and ensure it is adequately protected.

Workforce Training Programs

Autonomous vehicle technology is coming. You have an entire employee base with no idea what to expect regarding how those devices are built, maintained, repaired, or managed. Many manufacturers’ may not even be fully equipped to handle the AI, ML, and cybersecurity programs we mentioned earlier.

Reskilling the workforce has entered the limelight as manufacturers realize they need employees trained in brand new technologies. Thankfully many have also seen success in deploying industrial-grade tablets loaded with training modules to employees on the factory floor. Using these portable workstations and being able to undergo training wherever the devices they are tasked with learning are deployed, workers can more easily retain information and prepare themselves for intelligent manufacturing applications like those that will invariably be essential to creating autonomous vehicles.

For more information on the types of hardware, you’ll need to prepare, contact an expert from Cybernet’s team today.