18 September 2024 | 11:34

Why the time for autopilot in Kazakhstan hasn't come yet

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Tengrinews.kz - Autonomous driving technologies and driverless vehicles are already actively developing in some countries around the world. Why is Kazakhstan not making significant strides in adopting driverless technology.

Tengrinews.kz - Autonomous driving technologies and driverless vehicles are already actively developing in some countries around the world. Why is Kazakhstan not making significant strides in adopting driverless technology.

Currently, there are Level 3 autonomous vehicles that can operate completely independently. Some companies already have fleets of driverless taxis; for instance, Cruise in San Francisco launched its first autonomous taxi back in 2021.

So why is the development of autonomous transport lagging in Kazakhstan? To address this question, we reached out to Eduard Edokov, Chairman of the Independent Automobile Union.

The issues hindering the development of autopilots in Kazakhstan can be divided into several main categories.

Insufficient Infrastructure

Infrastructure is a key factor in the development of autonomous vehicles. To ensure the proper functioning of autopilot features, roads must be in good condition and have clear markings.

"In Kazakhstan, outside of major cities, the roads do not meet the standards required for autopilot systems, which demands ideal infrastructure. China, a leader in this field, has created the necessary infrastructure to support the development of autonomous technologies," noted Eduard Edokov.

Technical Equipment and 5G Connectivity

Autonomous driving requires the installation of cameras, radars, and sensors in the vehicle, along with powerful servers to process data. This is not a fully autonomous process, and the car cannot just drive itself.

"Servers must track the vehicle's movement by analyzing the data it transmits. For this, high-speed data transmission like 5G is required. In Almaty, 5G coverage is not complete, raising the question of what the autopilot should do if it leaves the coverage area," commented the expert.

Lack of government interest in industrial development

The development of this sector requires substantial financial resources and programs aimed at improving roads and transport systems. The government needs to be actively involved in allocating these resources and creating necessary programs.

"There are no government programs being adopted to promote the development of this industry. China is actively advancing in this field due to state support, including legislation and funding for both infrastructure and autonomous vehicle technologies," Edokov noted.

Safety and the "Trolley Problem"

There is also a need for legal frameworks to determine liability in accidents involving autopilot systems. It must be clearly defined whether the manufacturer or the driver will be held responsible.

"It is important to establish how the autopilot system will act in emergency situations. Will it decide to hit the elderly woman or the young man? Passenger safety should be a priority, as system failures can lead to accidents. Additionally, cybersecurity is crucial to prevent vehicles from being hacked, which could result in dangerous situations," the expert added.

In Kazakhstan, there are still many unsolved issues that must be addressed before autonomous driving can become a reality.

Earlier, Transport police have brought more than 500 illegal taxi drivers to administrative responsibility in Kazakhstan.