Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) Europe, a coalition dedicated to advancing public understanding of autonomous vehicle technology and its potential benefits, has announced the names of its initial founding members.
Following a Call for Founders issued at the IAA Mobility conference in 2021, PAVE Europe will formally launch in early April. Its inaugural board, drawing on experience from across connected industries, will include members from TÜV Rheinland, EasyMile, Mobileye, Achmea, Swiss Re and Waymo.
In addition to these founding members, PAVE Europe has announced the first wave of regular members, which will include global insurance provider SCOR and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Dr Matthias Schubert, EVP of Mobility at TÜV Rheinland, said, “TÜV Rheinland’s mission is to be the enabler for a better, safer, sustainable mobility. Therefore we are supporting the approach of PAVE Europe in substantially building up trust for automated driving vehicles from the very first moment on.
“As one of the leading global Testing-Inspecting-Certification houses we are convinced that independent third-party players are absolutely necessary and simply indispensable if it comes to PAVE the European way towards autonomy – and therefore toward higher safety and sustainability standards for future mobility solutions.”
The foundation of PAVE Europe commenced in 2019 with the support of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland and Neckermann Strategic Advisors, following the publication of a report – Being Driven: A study on human adoption and ownership of autonomous vehicles – which revealed that clear communication was required to improve understanding of autonomous technology, particularly among the public.
Its findings, the result of wide-ranging research and interviews with governing bodies, academics, engineers and key practitioners across the globe, demonstrated an urgent need to switch the dialog from challenges and technology to safety and quality.
Johann Jungwirth, VP Mobility as a Service, Mobileye, said, “PAVE’s mission is to pave the way for future mobility solutions based on self-driving vehicles, which can improve people’s life, save lives, and make mobility more accessible. Education and transparency are important factors for high acceptance of AVs.”