Preparing for the future: why we need to build infrastructure for autonomous driving today

As we know, the automotive sector is undergoing one of the biggest developments in its history. With the phase-out of internal combustion engines, and the rise of alternative drive trains, the landscape is changing rapidly.

In recent years, we’ve seen how the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has disrupted traditional models by offering a comprehensive suite of new technologies, from wheels to roofs, and it’s poised to disrupt traditional vehicles in more ways than just a cleaner power source. As EVs gained popularity, the need for charging infrastructure grew exponentially—particularly for more charging stations—underscoring how important it is for us to not just innovate, but to prepare the groundwork for these innovations.

Today, autonomous vehicle development is following a similar path. Unclear infrastructure requirements and technical complexity are likely to be the primary bottlenecks to the technology’s evolution. With millions of cars featuring some level of automation, like lane assist and predictive breaking, it’s clear that dealers and aftersales teams need to consider autonomous vehicles in their planning.

The evolution of connected cars and automotive artificial intelligence (AAI) brings a new level of convenience. Imagine a car that schedules its own service when it hits a particular mileage. However, this level of automation requires compatible systems at both the vehicle and dealership end. This points to the immediate need for building an infrastructure equipped with smart systems.

It’s hard to predict the exact moment we’ll transition from manual to fully autonomous driving, because technical innovation, market demand, government incentives or barriers, and general uncertainty play such a large role in its development. Yet it’s safe to say that if our infrastructure isn’t ready for autonomous vehicles by the time that they become commonplace—if traffic lights and systems are still human-centric, for example—we won’t be able to fully leverage the efficiency and safety benefits that self-driving vehicles have the potential to offer.

Whether it’s a gradual crawl to full autonomy or a swift leap, the necessary infrastructure must be in place long before automation hits critical mass. We need both physical facilities to charge vehicles and smarter systems that let vehicles self-service or coordinate multi-vehicle logistics, like automated valet parking and self-driving taxi fleets.

In the rush to embrace automation, we can't forget about the tools and systems needed to service these advanced vehicles either. Specialty devices that run and interact with automated services in more extreme environments will need additional lead time to “just work”. Rugged companion devices for mechanics, designed to withstand harsh garage environments while enhancing customer experience, will play a key role.

What’s critical is that we act now. We need to ensure that suppliers of these devices have ample experience with novel working environments and are committed to supporting the infrastructure development for this emerging automation market. If we fail to anticipate these needs, we risk ending up with a fantastic set of features that are left unused in the autonomous vehicle fleet – a missed opportunity for dealers and consumers alike.

At Getac , we’re proud to be at the forefront of these technological shifts, offering rugged solutions tailored for the needs of the automotive industry, including: electric vehicle health check (EVHC); intelligent planning; PC-based diagnostics; digital technical publications; research and development (R&D) and engineering; and automotive manufacturing. We have the experience, knowledge, and commitment needed to support the infrastructure development for the burgeoning automation market.

Learn more about how Getac can help you stay ahead of the curve, and ensure you’re prepared for the advent of autonomous vehicles here: https://www.getac.com/intl/industries/automotive/

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