Automotive testing: where the transport revolution begins

Early, effective and reliable testing can underpin consumer confidence in promising, but as yet little-known, future car technologies.

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automotive testing

Reinier Treur | Vice President of Electro Rent

The automotive sector is embracing technological advances at a rapid pace. Huge amounts of money are being spent on making vehicles autonomous, connected and electric, while OEMs compete to be the first to bring innovations to market. But herein lies a problem. Although the industry is progressing quickly and enthusiastically, public perception of the most advanced automotive technologies remains confined to the slow lane. Take autonomous vehicles, for example: billions of dollars have been spent worldwide to advance the concept of driverless cars, yet consumers remain stubbornly sceptical about the possible benefits.

In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by Pave (Partners for Automated Vehicle Education) in the US, almost three out of four people believe autonomous vehicles are not ready for widespread adoption. Nearly half would never get into a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle that drives itself. What's more, and this is the most worrying figure, around a fifth say that driverless cars will never be safe.

Other technologies face similar difficulties. Most consumers are unaware, for example, of the incredible progress made in lithium-ion battery cells. Many are totally unaware of the strides made in dynamic car charging, i.e. the safe and efficient powering of electric vehicles without the need for a wired infrastructure, even on the move. Yet these lab-proven technologies could be crucial in helping carmakers overcome durability anxiety, which remains a major factor in consumer resistance to electric cars.

Perception tool tests

This is clearly a gap between the automotive industry and its vast customer base, due to, among other things, the failure of marketing communications. Innovation in this industry does not happen overnight, but is always the result of incremental successes, supported by careful and methodical testing of various components and systems. Yet, these activities take place behind the scenes and without the recognition of the public, who are much more attentive to the serious failures of road tests that are actually the very last element of the long development process. This lack of knowledge requires OEMs to reach out to a much wider audience of interested parties, who not only understand the finished product, but first and foremost how exactly it came to market. Testing is therefore not just a mere step in design and production, but an essential tool for shaping public perception and accelerating the development of more sustainable transport.

The power of collaboration

This is where reliable test partners come into play, supporting OEMs from the very beginning of a new product's creation and continuing throughout the development cycle. In recent years, this has seen a shift from driver-assisted vehicles, through the various levels of advanced driver assistance systems, to the prospect of 'level 5', defined by Sae International for fully autonomous vehicles. This will require further advances in a variety of areas, such as data fusion, energy management, wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence. Access to the appropriate test equipment, via a sustainable financial model, therefore becomes crucial to keep pace with innovation. As the trend towards connected and autonomous vehicles continues to lengthen, there will be plenty of exciting stories to tell. It is therefore vital that the industry works together to ensure that consumers (individuals as well as national and local governments who are considering new vehicle technologies and infrastructure) understand the safety activities involved, to ensure that these technologies are fit for the road.

Realising tomorrow's technology

Testing is therefore the tool that can facilitate the transport revolution. They have always been a vital part of the development process, but have now become an essential means of influencing the perceptions of the general public. This is why Electro Rent remains committed to serving the industry by offering the best laboratory and field testing equipment, accessible in the most cost-effective way. In conclusion, we believe that early, effective and reliable testing is the foundation of the automotive industry. By working with our customers, we hope to deliver the exciting transport technologies of tomorrow.

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