Self -driving cars: Switzerland allows autonomous driving

Robotaxis are already traveling in San Francisco, Tel Aviv and Shanghai. In Sion (VS), a self -driving post bus heralded the future. At that time, however, as part of a pilot project. From March, the partially automated drive is possible throughout Switzerland – at least theoretically.

What exactly is possible?

What role do the car skills play in these functions?

When driving autonomous, one speaks of six stages in Switzerland. A car without the most basic software such as a cruise control is zero at the level. The independent vehicle, as you know from science fiction films, is at the highest level five. There people are no longer involved.

The motorway pilot located at level three enables « automated driving », in which the car can drive independently under certain circumstances. People no longer have to monitor the traffic all the time. However, he has to remain attentive because the system can delegate him at any time. Shortly after the children or taking a look at the cell phone, it is in it – more elaborate things, such as reading or even sleeping, remain impossible.

With automated parking and in the driverless vehicles that drive around as shuttle buses, for example, nobody has to sit right behind the steering wheel. Several vehicles supervised in a control center. This is the second highest level four.

Where are the automated vehicles used?

Since the systems are still at the beginning of the development and motorway pilots can only master simple traffic situations independently, the authorities initially only release the highways. According to Patrizia Portmann, the software has advantages over humans from the Federal Office of Street (Astra) because it drives much more harmoniously and reaches a massive shorter braking distance.

The shuttle buses and automated parking are also used on main and side streets. You will be interesting for private individuals if the first providers offer an order service that can replace or supplement the scheduled schedule. Leading-free driving is also becoming more and more concrete for transport and logistics companies. In Bern, a corresponding pilot project with the Transporter Planzer runs until 2026.

Which vehicles are possible?

Autobahn pilots are already available in Germany in Mercedes and BMW vehicles – these are the most modern cars in a correspondingly high price range. The manufacturers now have the necessary requirements to program their vehicles for Switzerland and apply for approval here. Transport providers and municipalities can also propose certain routes for approval.

As the Astra reports, no one has submitted such an application or proposal in the two months since the decision on the new regulation.

Who is liable in the event of an accident?

Nine out of ten traffic accidents are still due to human failure. Portmann hopes for higher security through automated driving, because: « The system is not tired or distracted and it cannot drive drunk. »

But robots also make mistakes. In the event of an accident, there are three scenarios: If the motorway pilot was activated and a wrong decision was made, the manufacturer is liable. If the motorway pilot was not activated or the reason was human failure, the driver is liable. However, if the vehicle's software has not been kept up to date, the car owner is liable.