How ADVI is accelerating the mobility evolution
In the race to introduce driverless vehicles onto the nation’s roads, the Australia and New Zealand Driverless Vehicle initiative (ADVI) ensures a safe, more efficient and highly advanced transport system.
Andrea Ash from Cohda Wireless, state Transport Minister Stephan Knoll and Rita Excell from ADVI.
As the nation’s peak driverless vehicle industry collective, ADVI now has more than 125 program partners that span government, manufacturing, research, insurance, technology, legal from all parts of the globe. That is a staggering achievement when you consider that only three years earlier the program started with 25 core partners and very humble beginnings.
ADVI first made transport history in 2015 when it coordinated the first on-road demonstration of a driverless vehicle anywhere in the southern hemisphere. Live streamed around the world and attracting national and international media attention, that historic event kick-started South Australia’s reputation as being an innovative leader in the autonomous vehicle space.
ADVI and its partners then followed up this critical turning point for the nation by helping to inform the development of Australia-first legislation that now provides a framework for on-road trials, testing and development of driverless vehicles and other advanced automotive technology on South Australian roads.
It was these early achievements that have since made South Australia highly attractive for global firms wanting to test, develop and trial their technology on local roads – and sends the clear message that South Australia is open for business and prepared to claim its fair share of an industry estimated to be worth $95bn per annum.
The creation of ADVI’s national Centre of Excellence in Adelaide has focussed education, advocacy and demonstration efforts designed to encourage community acceptance and promote understanding of the significant lifestyle, economic and safety benefits on offer. The Centre, established with SA Government and industry support, has created opportunities for SA-based companies to share in the national and global funding of Driverless Vehicle technologies.
As a conduit between industry and government, ADVI supported another first for the Southern Hemisphere by coordinating with the SA Government an International Driverless Vehicle Summit in 2015, bringing together some of the nation’s and world’s foremost experts. This year celebrates the 3rd International Driverless Vehicle Summit in Adelaide and takes SA further down that road by offering a unique platform for delegates to explore and debate a wide range of topics, ranging from technical matters through to wider social, legal and urban-planning issues.
This year’s keynote speakers will also shine the spotlight on new business opportunities across the transport sector, including a transition to an e-commerce platform which is predicted to see car ownership transform to accessing the car as a service, just like mobile phone plans of today.
The Summit also gives the SA community an opportunity to be amongst the first Australians to experience driverless vehicle technologies first hand, which is sure to encourage support of the ‘Trackless Tram’ philosophy that has captured the imagination of politicians and local media.
Today ADVI partners are now involved in every trial taking place in South Australia, collectively building on the state’s leadership reputation.
A number of ADVI-led international delegations have travelled to the US, UK and Asia to meet with some of the world’s leading companies, such as Google, Tesla, GM and Peloton. Meetings have also occurred with industry and regulators to learn more about their approach to policy and investment. Representatives have also travelled to the Netherlands to see how this technology applies within the heavy vehicle industry and what that might offer Australia.
These efforts continue to deliver real results. We have seen a commitment by EasyMile to establish its Australia-New Zealand headquarters locally, and the UK-based Aurrigo RDM Group has its Asia Pacific headquarters at the Tonsley Innovation Precinct.
As we count down until the 3rd International Driverless Vehicle Summit, ADVI’s program partners are advancing plans to deploy this technology in more local trials. In fact, the recent Economic Uplift Survey results confirmed that a number of ADVI partners intend to invest up to $10m each in the autonomous vehicle industry in the next five-years – and SA is best positioned to reap the rewards.
To find out more about the Australia and New Zealand Driverless Vehicle Initiative and the IDVS3 event go to www.advi.org.au
