Saudi Arabia’s drivers could soon be on the road to a safer and
smarter future, thanks in part to the arrival of Hyundai’s latest
automobile upgrades.
The South Korean automaker recently announced that it is incorporating
more advanced technology into cars being exported to the gulf
country. Although not technically “driverless,” the cars will
include autonomous emergency braking (AED), smart cruise control, a
lane-keeping assist system, driver attention alert and blind spot
detection.
The improvements are part of Hyundai’s “Smart Sense”
package, which the company says has already been added to its Azera
and i30 models.
The latest additions are meant to complement other high-tech
connectivity features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as
well as wireless charging for smartphone devices. Hyundai will also
introduce a visual design based on a “Fluidic Sculpture” model
created by Hyundai engineers.
“The next generation of Hyundai models will further challenge
many people’s perceptions of the Hyundai brand in the Middle East,”
Mike Song, Hyundai’s head of operations for Africa and the Middle
East, said. “People recognize Hyundai for quality and for value but
do not realize how much the company is investing in design and
engineering, and in completely new ways of thinking. Where Hyundai
leads, others will be forced to follow.”
For more on what Hyundai’s announcement means to the global
market, the Gulf News Journal spoke with John Simpson of Consumer
Watchdog. Simpson has been an advocate for smart development of auto
technologies and monitors landmarks in autonomous driving design,
calling for adequate testing and oversight for these technologies.
Simpson said the new features promoted by Hyundai marketers are
good innovations.
“What they are talking about right now is some very interesting
and potentially safety-enhancing technologies,” he said.
“Autonomous emergency braking is a very good thing.”
Simpson said U.S. advocacy groups have petitioned the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make AEB mandatory on
new vehicles.
The difference with new features like AEB, lane assist and alerts,
Simpson said, is that no one is suggesting the cars can actually
drive themselves.
“The tech exists to assist the driver,” he said. “That’s
all good, as long as it’s marketed in a way that makes it crystal
clear to the driver that he or she has to stay involved.”
Citing Tesla’s autopilot technology, Simpson said there’s
danger in innovations that suggest driverless cars are entirely ready
for prime time, when there’s much more research and testing to be
done.
“I don’t know if we’re ever going to get there.” Simpson.
If it does happen, he said, it shouldn’t happen without
sufficient testing and monitoring.
Simpson called for accurate reports of failures for driverless car
pilot programs like those being done by Google in California, and
“disengagement reports” that show what actually happens when
drivers take over.
“To know that rate of failure is critical,” Simpson said.
Simpson said future indicators will show whether and how Saudi
officials are poised to introduce a truly self-driving vehicle.
“I hope they go through a rigorous testing process in the
region,” Simpson said.
