In Germany, drivers are allowed to drive “hands-free”

This applies to cars equipped with autopilot

In Germany adopted a law that allows drivers of vehicles equipped with advanced autopilots, distracted from the road and remove your hands from the steering wheel.

Before the presentation of the Audi A8, the German company promised that the new flagship sedan will be the first production car that reached the third level of autonomy according to the classification of the community of automotive engineers (SAE). However, the innovative technology could be useless at least in his native Germany because of the lack of legislation. Now, the question is partly removed.

In Germany a law was passed allowing drivers to use vehicles that are assigned 3rd level of autonomy. Under the new rules, they are allowed to be distracted from the road and remove your hands from the steering wheel if the car is equipped with an autopilot gives you this option. Previously, the law required that drivers did not take her eyes off the road even if the system auto allow to do it.

It also notes that the person behind the wheel should be ready to deactivate the system and take control themselves. In addition, the law provides for the installation in vehicles of devices which record every switch to manual control, and requests the system to move on.

Although the new law makes a significant contribution to the development of systems of Autonomous movement, experts point out that it’s not perfect. It affects drivers, but it does not spell out the procedure of homologation for cars with 3 level of autonomy. Therefore, the same Audi will have to get permission to use the system, Traffic Jam Pilot, which allows the A8 to move independently in a traffic jam.

“Yes, the law passed, but it is too early to say that all issues have been resolved,” — said the head of the German auto importers Association VDIK Reinhard Zirpel.

3rd level of autonomy SAE means that the car can cope with some driver’s functions (in particular, acceleration and braking), but the leading role still has the man. Machines able to perform all driving functions will get the 5th level of autonomy, but the producers hope to reach it only in the next 10 years.

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