(Informative)
Since 1885, when the first Motorwagen was built, many inventions have made automobiles easier to drive and more responsive to human needs. A short list includes electric ignition starter, car radio, car key, power steering, cruise control, electric windows, intermittent windshield wipers, anti-lock braking system (ABS), digital dashboard displays, electromagnetic parking sensors, on-board diagnostics, mobile connection, satellite navigation, reversing camera, automatic parking, driver assistance features, etc.
Starting from 1939, when the first “self-driving” car was attempted, many efforts have further transformed automobiles from machines entirely driven by humans to machines with some “self-driving” capabilities. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the USA has already developed a Level-based classification of cars with some “self-driving” capabilities. Today, self-driving cars are not only technically possible, but commercially available. They promise to bring benefits that will positively affect industry, society, and the environment, such as:
- Saving lives and reducing injuries by removing human error thanks to a machine less prone to errors.
- Giving humans more time for rewarding activities, such as interpersonal communication.
- Optimising the use of vehicles and infrastructure.
- Reducing congestion and pollution.
- Supporting elderly and disabled people.
Therefore, the transformation of today’s “niche market” into tomorrow’s vibrant “mass market” of Connected Autonomous Vehicles will positively impact society and individuals.
MPAI believes that a market of standard-enabled interchangeable components can offer affordable Connected Autonomously Vehicles sooner and more efficiently than waiting for market forces to produce cars with progressively higher SAE Levels that are based on incompatible components.
MPAI proposes an open standardisation process based on a Reference Model that partitions a CAV into subsystems and components specified in terms of functional requirements and data exchanged.
This approach helps:
- Research optimise component technologies with the specified functional requirements.
- Component manufacturers bring their standard-conforming components to market when they are mature.
- Car manufacturers access an open global market of components with standard functions and interfaces.
- Regulators oversee conformance testing of components using standard procedures.
- Users rely on Connected Autonomous Vehicles whose operation they can explain to a large extent.
A CAV standard should not be considered an impediment to technological progress. Rather, a standard specifying interfaces of subsystems and components enables the creation of a competitive market offering increasingly performing components until a new, more powerful reference model enables another phase of performance improvements.
In this Introduction and in the following Chapters, Capitalised Terms:
- Are defined in Table 1 if they are specific to this Technical Specification.
- Are defined online if they are shared with other MPAI Technical Specifications.
- Represent the “digital twin” of a the same non-capitalised word.
Chapters and Sections are Normative unless they are labelled as Informative.
